Masculinity, law, and the family / Richard Collier.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 286-321) and index.

1. Introduction: on law and masculinity. The sociology of masculinity: a context. Theorising law and masculinity. Towards a study of law and masculinity: concluding remarks -- 2. Theorising masculinity and the family. 'Critical' family law. Defining the 'family'. Functionalism. The public/private dichotomy. Familialism: rethinking law, power and the family -- Conclusions: on method, masculinity and law -- 3. Law, sex and masculinity. The legal construction of homosexuality. The homosexual personage and the emergence of (hetero) masculinity in law. Scientific 'fact' and the legal problem of transsexualism. Sex, gender and marriage -- Conclusions: the sexual basis of hegemonic masculinity and marriage -- 4. 'Love without fear': representations of male heterosexuality in law. A context: sexuality and society. The legal construction of sexual intercourse. The social and legal construction of male sexuality.

Print version record.

Masculinity, Law and Family examines the construction of masculinity in a variety of areas of law pertaining to the family. Throughout, Richard Collier integrates recent theoretical developments in legal studies with a social theory of gender, the family and the social construction of masculinity. After an overview of theoretical positions and a critique of traditional legal theory, Richard Collier focusses on the legal regulation of homosexuality and transsexualism to show how confined the view of masculine sexuality is in legal discours. These arguments are further elaborated in a discussion of non-consummation, adultery and divorce, as well as fatherhood and paternity. Masculinity, Law and Family is of central importance to our understanding of the social and political dimension of masculinity.

eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - Worldwide