Understanding Non-Monogamies [Hardcover]

Most social scientific work on intimate relationships has assumed a monogamous structure, or has considered anything other than monogamy only in the context of 'infidelity'. Yet, in recent years there has been a growing interest among researchers and the public in exploring various patterns of intimacy that involve open non-monogamy. This volume gathers contributions from academics, activists, and practitioners throughout the world to explore non-monogamous relationships. Featuring both empirical and theoretical pieces, contributors examine the history and cultural basis of various forms of non-monogamy, experiences of non-monogamous living, psychological understandings of relationship patterns, language and emotion, the discursive construction of mono-normativity as well as issues of race, class, disability, sexuality and gender. This volume will be of interest to academics and practitioners working in the social sciences and anyone who is seeking greater insight into the intricacies of non-monogamous relationships.

Section 1: Situating Non-monogamies  1. Introduction  Meg Barker and Darren Langdridge  2. Deconstructing Monogamy: Boundaries, Identities, and Fluidities across Relationships  Katherine Frank and John DeLamater  Section 2: Representing Non-monogamies  3. Non-monogamy and Fiction  Esther Saxey  4. Science Says Shes Gotta Have it: Reading for Racial Resonances in Woman-Centered Poly Literature  Angela Willey  5. Discursive Constructions of Polyamory in Mono-normative Media Culture  Ani Ritchie  Section 3: Distinguishing Non-monogamies  6. Relationship Innovation in Male Couples  Barry D. Adam  7. Swinging: Pushing the Boundaril#