Overview

What experiences do women have when they come to identify themselves as lesbian? What happens when they consider telling family and friends about their sexual identity? This book examines these questions on the basis of interviews with individuals and other source materials. Coming out can only be understood, the author stresses, against the backdrop of a firmly heterosexist society. The dominant heterosexual culture tends to freeze gender divisions in such a way as to polarize sexual identities. The author focuses more upon the isolated lesbian, rather than upon political lesbianism. Coming out is seen to be a complex and emotional process, but one that is potentially highly rewarding. Lesbians, Markowe shows, have to struggle with both their 'invisibility' in the predominantly heterosexual culture, but also with perceptions of threat and abnormality. Coming out to family and heterosexual friends involves risks and benefits. Case studies of lesbian women are discussed in the context of the threat to, and reconstruction of, identity which the coming-out process presumes. This book will be of interest to second year undergraduates and above working in the fields of women's studies, social psychology and the psychology or sociology of gender.

Full Product Details

Author:   Laura Markowe (South Bank University)
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Imprint:   Polity Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.40cm , Height: 1.80cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.340kg
ISBN:  

9780745611297

ISBN 10:   074561129
Pages:   256
Publication Date:   15 July 1996
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
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Table of Contents

1. Context and Issues. 2. A Reconceptualization of Coming Out. 3. Lesbian Identity and Attitudes Towards Homosexuality: The Background. 4. A Social-Psychological Framework for Coming Out. 5. The Context of Coming Out. 6. Beginning with 'Always' Lesbian Women... 7. Coming Out to Self and Others. 8. Lesbians with some Heterosexual Background. 9. Therapy for Lesbians: Some Issues. 10. Summary and Conclusions. References. Subject Index. Author Index.

Reviews

"""One strength of Markowe's book is the rich qualitative data from interviews."" Choice"

One strength of Markowea s book is the rich qualitative data from interviews. Choice

One strength of Markowe's book is the rich qualitative data from interviews. Choice

Author Information

Laura Markowe is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Care, South Bank University.

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