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Heterosexuality in Theory and Practice
This book explores heterosexualities in their complex and everyday expressions. It engages with theories about the intersection of sexuality with other markers of difference, and gender in particular. The outcome will productively upset equations of heterosexuality with heteronormativity and accounts that cast heterosexuality in sex critical, sex as danger terms. Queer/feminist pro-sex perspectives have become prevalent in analyses of sexuality, but in these approaches queer becomes the site of subversive, transgressive, exciting and pleasurable sex, while heterosex, if mentioned at all, continues to be seen as objectionable or dowdy. It challenges heterosexualitys comparative absence in gender/sexuality debates and the common constitution of heterosexuality as nasty, boring and normative. The authors develop an innovative analysis showing the limits of the sharply bifurcated perspectives of the sex wars. This is not a revisionist account of heterosexuality as merely one option in a fluid smorgasbord, nor does it dismiss the weight of feminist/pro-feminist critiques of heterosexuality. This book establishes that if relations of domination do not constitute the analytical sum of heterosexuality, then identifying its range of potentialities is clearly important for understanding and helping to undo its nastier elements.
- GenresNonfiction
139 pages, ebook
First published October 30, 2011
8 people want to read
About the author
Chris Beasley
17 books2 followersChris (Christine) Beasley is an Australian researcher whose interdisciplinary work crosses the fields of social and political theory, gender and sexuality studies and cultural studies.
Dr Chris Beasley is Emerita Professor in Politics. Dr Beasley is founder and past Co-Director of the Fay Gale Centre for Research on Gender at the University of Adelaide.
Her main teaching areas are social and political theory, gender and sexuality studies, and cultural politics. She has been previously been located in Sociology, Women's Studies, Aboriginal Studies and Education.
Her books include Heterosexuality in Theory and Practice (with Heather Brook and Mary Holmes, Routledge, 2012), Engaging with Carol Bacchi (edited with Angelique Bletsas, University of Adelaide Press, 2012), Gender & Sexuality: Critical Theories, Critical Thinkers (Sage, 2005), What is Feminism? (Sage, 1999) and Sexual Economyths (Allen & Unwin, 1994).
Her most recent book is titled 'The Cultural Politics of Popular Film: Power, Culture and Society' (with Heather Brook, Manchester UP). She is currently writing another book, 'Internet Dating' (with Mary Holmes, Routledge).
Dr Beasley is also engaged in several research projects, including embodied ethics and revaluing care, innovations in heterosexuality, hetero-masculinity and intimacy, and gender and social change. .
Dr Chris Beasley is Emerita Professor in Politics. Dr Beasley is founder and past Co-Director of the Fay Gale Centre for Research on Gender at the University of Adelaide.
Her main teaching areas are social and political theory, gender and sexuality studies, and cultural politics. She has been previously been located in Sociology, Women's Studies, Aboriginal Studies and Education.
Her books include Heterosexuality in Theory and Practice (with Heather Brook and Mary Holmes, Routledge, 2012), Engaging with Carol Bacchi (edited with Angelique Bletsas, University of Adelaide Press, 2012), Gender & Sexuality: Critical Theories, Critical Thinkers (Sage, 2005), What is Feminism? (Sage, 1999) and Sexual Economyths (Allen & Unwin, 1994).
Her most recent book is titled 'The Cultural Politics of Popular Film: Power, Culture and Society' (with Heather Brook, Manchester UP). She is currently writing another book, 'Internet Dating' (with Mary Holmes, Routledge).
Dr Beasley is also engaged in several research projects, including embodied ethics and revaluing care, innovations in heterosexuality, hetero-masculinity and intimacy, and gender and social change. .
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 16, 2016
A useful overview, but but somewhat flimsy (for example, the chapter on the transgressive potential of heterosexual long-distance relationships lacked much analysis of a theoretical framework).
Displaying 1 of 1 review