Monogamins gränser: om kärlek, romantik, (o)trohet och svartsjuka

Sammanfattning: Based on qualitative interviews with five heterosexual women in monogamous relationships this essay aims at examine the limits and borders of couple relationships. Monogamy is a strong norm in society and most people today live in monogamous relationships. This I assume is problematic. My starting point is the theory on the social construction of emotions and sexuality. I examine how women relate to phenomena such as togetherness, love, friendship, exclusivity, jealousy and infidelity. My conclusion is that the borders of monogamy can be understood by examining both what is consider to be inside the norm, and outside. The most basic norm of the monogamous relationship is the sexual- and emotional exclusivity. The relationship is also based on the idea of unity. On the other side of the fence, outside the limits of monogamy, are promiscuous, unfaithful and polyamorists.