'There aren–t words for what we do or how we feel so we have to make them up': Constructing polyamorous languages in a culture of compulsory monogamy

Ritchie, Ani and Barker, Meg (2006). 'There aren–t words for what we do or how we feel so we have to make them up': Constructing polyamorous languages in a culture of compulsory monogamy. Sexualities, 9(5), pp. 584–601.

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DOI (Digital Object Identifier) Link:	http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1177/1363460706069987
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Abstract

Polyamory is an emerging sexual story that troubles mononormativity: the dominant discourse of monogamy which is reproduced and perpetuated in everyday conversation and saturates mainstream media depictions. Through an analysis of online discussions, websites and self-help books, this article explores the ways in which members of polyamorous communities construct their identities through language. We argue that the potentials of polyamory are, to some extent, constrained by the conventional mononormative language of partnerships, infidelities and jealousy. However, alternative languages are emerging which offer new discursive possibilities for the development of polyamorous identities, relationships and emotions

Item Type:	Journal Article
ISSN:	1461-7382
Keywords:	emotion; language; mononormativity; non-monogamy; polyamory;
Academic Unit/Department:	Social Sciences > Psychology in the Social Sciences
Interdisciplinary Research Centre:	Centre for Citizenship, Identities and Governance (CCIG)
Item ID:	17260
Depositing User:	Users 8877 not found.
Date Deposited:	23 Jun 2009 14:55
Last Modified:	05 Oct 2012 09:09
URI:	http://oro.open.ac.uk/id/eprint/17260

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