ABSTRACT
Chapter 2, ‘Diversity and intimacy in contemporary society’, considers diversity as central in the relationship between intimacy and diversity, and explores a range of different feminist and modernist social perspectives. The work of Lynn Jamieson provides a backdrop in considering changes in relationships in the context of globalisation. This chapter focuses on issues around heteronormativity in relationships, including ‘non-standard intimacies’ as outlined in the work of Lauren Berlant and Mark Warner; ‘the transformation of intimacy’ as developed in the work of Anthony Giddens; intimacy and emotion work in same-sex relationships in the work of Sasha Roseneil and in the work of Umberson; and intimacy, sex and boundaries within intimate relationships, also in the work of Umberson. The chapter reflects on diversity in feminist perspectives on love also considers how the media have taken the lead in representing diversity in relationships. The chapter also shows how feminist and queer theorists have presented contested views on love, and analysed love as both liberating and oppressive. It also focuses on how love can be an important dimension of the same-sex marriage debate.
