Love, Heterosexuality and Society (Routledge Advances in Sociology)

Heterosexuality is a largely ‘silent’ set of practices and identities – it is assumed to be everywhere and yet often remains unnamed and unexplored. Despite recent changes in the theoretical understanding and representation of sexuality, heterosexuality continues to be socially normative. Forging a new agenda for the study of heterosexuality, this in-depth volume, the first research monograph to focus on heterosexuality and society, presents an empirical study of the construction, negotiation and enactment of heterosexual sexuality. Using detailed interview data, it investigates how heterosexuality, as both an identity and a set of practices, is accomplished through love relationships. Rather than assuming that romantic love is an outcome or expression of a pre-defined sexuality, Johnson explores how sexuality is brought to life through love. Situated in the ongoing theoretical debates concerning the relationship between gender and sexuality, Paul Johnson’s book shows how ways of loving are interwoven with the construction, practice, regulation and government of heterosexuality. Excellently written, this important book also looks at gender in society, and explores such areas as heterosexual subjectivities and the borders of desire. As such, the research it contains will be valuable for all students of sociology and gender studies. Heterosexuality Is A Largely 'silent' Set Of Practices And Identities - It Is Assumed To Be Everywhere And Yet Often Remains Unnamed And Unexplored. Despite Recent Changes In The Theoretical Understanding And Representation Of Sexuality, Heterosexuality Continues To Be Socially Normative.. Love, Heterosexuality And Society Forges A New Agenda For The Study Of Heterosexuality, Presenting An Empirical Study Of The Construction, Negotiation And Enactment Of Heterosexual Sexuality. Using In-depth, Interview Data From A Sample Composed Of Men And Women Of Disparate Ages, The Book Investigates How Heterosexuality, As Both An Identity And A Set Of Practices, Is Accomplished Through Love Relationships. Rather Than Assuming That Romantic Love Is An Outcome Or Expression Of A Pre-defined Sexuality, Johnson Explores How Sexuality Is Brought To Life Through Love. Situated In The Ongoing Theoretical Debates Concerning The Relationship Between Gender And Sexuality, The Work Shows How Ways Of Loving Are Interwoven With The Construction, Practice, Regulation And Government Of Heterosexuality.--book Jacket. Introduction: Making Love, Doing Heterosexuality -- The Essence Of Love -- Making Love And Regulating Sex -- The Lack Of Love: Producing Heterosexual Subjectivities -- Haunting Heterosexuality: Homosexuality And The Borders Of Desire -- The Escape Of Desire, The Constraints Of Love -- Conclusion. Introduction: Making Love, Doing Heterosexuality -- The Essence Of Love -- Making Love And Regulating Sex -- The Lack Of Love : Producing Heterosexual Subjectivities -- Haunting Heterosexuality : Homosexuality And The Borders Of Desire -- The Escape Of Desire, The Constraints Of Love -- Conclusion. Paul Johnson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [148]-153) And Index. Half Title: Love, Heterosexuality and Society......Page 2 Title Page......Page 6 Copyright......Page 7 Dedication......Page 8 Contents......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 11 Introduction......Page 12 1 The essence of love......Page 34 2 Making love and regulating sex......Page 58 3 The lack of love......Page 87 4 Haunting heterosexuality......Page 114 5 The escape of desire, the constraints of love......Page 131 Conclusion......Page 146 Appendix......Page 150 Notes......Page 154 Bibliography......Page 159 Index......Page 165 Forging a new agenda for the study of heterosexuality, this volume, focusing on heterosexuality and society, presents an empirical study of the construction, negotiation and enactment of heterosexual sexuality