Rethinking Romantic Love: Discussions, Imaginaries and Practices

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Enguix, Begonya

Roca, Jordi

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Love.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (301 p.)

Edition:

1st edition

Place of Publication:

Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Summary:

This volume is the result of a thorough exploration of contemporary conceptions of romantic love from different points of view. Beginning with an initial text where the meanings of romantic love are discussed theoretically and historically, the contributions gathered here present current discussions about love in the present day and in different geographical contexts that range from Hungary to Italy or Spain. The first part of the book is devoted to the analysis of mobilities for the sake of love as a result of globalization. These mobilities are analysed in relation to love ideals, to gender equality and to online searches for the ideal partners. The second part of the book deals with the exploration of different imaginaries of love in particular geographical contexts. The topics dealt with here include love as sickness, love and violence, love ideals for men engaged in gender equality and love ideals for those who engage in cross-dressing practices. In the third part, writing about and for love is addressed. Love writings to the beloved dead, teenage girls' blogs and bestsellers such as Fifty Shades of Grey are discussed in particular detail. This book addresses current conceptions of romantic love in different social groups through different practices and in different countries, and shows that, despite the variability of discourses, experiences and practices related to love, a number of ideas of what love should be like - related to the Western ideals of romantic love - persist in all these contexts. The contributions to this volume are derived from extensive fieldwork and ethnographic research, and will be of undoubted interest for the academic milieu. However, given the topic it deals with, the book will also appeal to the general public, who will find in these pages many 'love stories' derived from the detailed study of the society which we inhabit and the ideals of love that we breathe.

Contents:

Introduction: Love and its Transformations / Jordi Roca and Begonya Enguix

Part 1. Mobilities for Love: Chapter One. "Is this true love?" Governing Love in the Context of Marriage Migration / Miriam Gutekunst; Chapter Two. Latin American Women who Migrate for Love: Imagining European Men as Ideal Partners / Yvonne Riaño; Chapter Three. Intimacies Turned On and Off: Spanish Men on Search of a Foreign Partner beyond the Screen / Jordi Roca Girona, Verónica Anzil and Lidia Martinez Flores

Part 2. Imaginaries of Love in Local Contexts: Chapter Four. Conceptions of the True Love and Love Magic among the Hungarians in Gyimes / Judit Balatonyi; Five. What it is to be Desired: Erotic Encounters and Ideals of Love among People Who Practise Cross-Dressing in a Swinger Club in Barcelona / Alba Barbé i Serra; Chapter Six. L'Amavo Più Della Sua Vita: I Loved Her More Than Her Life / Marion Näser-Lather; Chapter Seven. El Amor Romântico (NO) MATA: Thinking through Romantic Love and Men's Engagement for Gender Equality in Spain / Krizia Nardini

Part 3. Writing(s) about Love: Chapter Eight. Love Writing to Beloved Dead: The Continuation of the Loving Feeling beyond Death / Antonella Grossi; Chapter Nine. Self-created Love Stories in Girls' Romantic Culture: History and Evolution / Eda Kalmre; Chapter Ten. Love Ideals in Fifty Shades of Grey /Francesc Núñez and Begonya Enguix.

ISBN:

1-4438-8453-7