Women's Studies 2163A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Polyamory, Promiscuity, Double Standard

• School: Western University
• Department: Women's Studies
• Course: Women's Studies 2163A/B
• Professor: K. Shewan

Document Summary

Lecture 5 readings purity politics and beyond vanilla sex: contesting the culture of monogamy. The culture of monogamy: monogamy is emotional and sexual exclusivity with one partner at a time. Karl lenz" ideal romantic love: unity of sexual passion and affectionate emotionality, unity of love and marriage. Integration of parenthood: values of commitment and faithfulness. Intensification of a sense of individuality and uniqueness of the beloved partner: promise of unique happiness, new ideal of cross-gender mutuality and gender equality, = basically, chosen life partner, monogamy structurally privileges couples. Strategic resource accumulation within the couple, joined property, division of labour, mutual networking and alliances "couple power"". Trend for fewer marriages, increased cohabitation, singlehood, divorce rates (42&: most people practise serial monogamy basically dating, as long as relationship lasts instead of committing for life. Compulsory monogamy is reinforced by laws: anti-adultery laws, legal prohibitions on polygamy, discrimination against poly: majority of people condemn poly as wrong.