Gender and Cultural Studies: Intimacy, Love and Friendship

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Friendship
Partnerships
Queer Intimacy and Polyamory
Monogamous Relationships
Insecure Monogamy
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

The word “slut” is always associated with various negative connotations in society. According to the way many people have been socialized, monogamy is perceived as the only sacred and acceptable relationship to everybody. This essay focuses on Easton and Hardy’s way of managing happy relationships with ease. The duo defines “slut” to imply a person who enjoys his/her intimacy and pleasures in an ethical manner, far away from cheating.

Friendship

Relationships are a very important aspect of human life. However, existing circumstances may separate one from their partners causing them to be isolated. Some of these reasons include incarceration, illnesses, and geographical isolation among other reasons (Easton & Liszt, 1997, p. 46). Relationships are formed through friendships that turn out to be a source of companionship, intimacy, and support during difficult moments.

It is however important to appreciate different levels of friendships to understand their value. In many other successful relationships, affectionate sex cements a relationship not necessarily for marriage reasons. On the other hand, being single can be enjoyable and highly recommendable to spend time alone. This only works when existing emotional, sexual, and other needs are met consciously. It may involve having friends who help you in meeting the needs.

Partnerships

Partnerships also form part of human relations. A good example is a serial monogamy which allows a couple to have multiple intimate friends outside their marriage. Nevertheless, priority has to be given to themselves and their needs in order to protect their relationship. Relationships therefore are not limited to two partners but can extend to form triadic or quadratic families in which members have varying roles (Easton & Liszt, 1997, p. 53). Through such relationships, circles are born which describe connections among people based on their sexual linkage. Lastly sluts enjoy intimate relationships through group sex environments which provide room for public sex among other intimate activities like parties.

Queer Intimacy and Polyamory

Heterosexuality and lesbianism have remained debatable topics around the world. These relationships have led to the emergence of deeper discussions concerning voluntary and compulsory connections that do exist in society. Of significance is monogamy whose definition among the heterosexuals and lesbians remains a challenge. Anti-monogamy, therefore, is arguably a major challenge towards compulsory heterosexuality practiced by some people.

Monogamous Relationships

Monogamy aims at strengthening the bond between two people who meet the needs of each other ranging from emotional, physical, and sexual. This is important in a family whose definition solely rests in childrearing and motherhood and does not recognize lesbians. As a result, women who live outside the boundaries of the family face a wide range of challenges. Many get ignored based on their peculiar behavior that is unacceptable among other women.

In either case, love is a major ingredient. Although love may not be qualified or quantified, there exists variation depending on whom it is being directed to within the social set up. Love determines how people relate and whom they relate with. For romantic relationships, sex is a major component that holds together those in love. Consequently, a lot of weight has been put on sex with those who are not involved in it seen as incomplete. For many years, women have been involved in forced heterosexuality and sexuality.

Insecure Monogamy

Among other benefits, monogamy is considered to be a more secure relationship as compared to non-monogamous ones. Nevertheless, the nature of security derived from monogamous relationships remains questionable. Does the existence of countless obligations and cases of forced monogamous relationships make it insecure? Sexual monogamy plays a double standard game and favors men – women friendships having received a negative press.

It allows men to get into extramarital affairs and the freedom to become prostitutes in society. In addition, monogamous relationships promote division among women. This is mainly made possible by their men who keep a close eye on them. As a result, it becomes impossible for lesbians to advocate for the need to develop intimate friendships outside the context of sex.

Conclusion

Happy relationships can be established and nurtured based on different aims. Regardless of the driving force, intimacy and sexual connections are common in many happy relationships.

It is clear that in a society that hates lesbians, the realization of passionate female women friendships cannot be easily achieved. Monogamy is perceived to be a secure social structure yet it favors men without considering the need for women to develop love among themselves.

Reference

Easton, D. & Liszt, C. (1997) The Ethical Slut: A Guide to Infinite Sexual Possibilities. Emeryville, California: Greenery Press.

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