Title
Dialogic Constructions of Monogamy: The Discursive Struggles of Mono-Normativity and Mono-Realism
Date of Award
1-1-2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Human Communications
First Advisor
Elizabeth A. Suter, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Erin Willer
Third Advisor
Eleanor McNees
Keywords
Communication, Heteronormativity, Interpersonal relationships, Monogamy, Mono-normativity, Mono-realism
Abstract
Through the lens of relational dialectics theory (RDT; Baxter, 2011), this study examines the various discourses of monogamy and works to understand how monogamy is granted power through communication. Data for the study was gathered via qualitative surveys. A contrapuntal analysis identified two competing discourses: (1) the discourse of mono-normativity and (2) the discourse of mono-realism. The discourse of mono-normativity is taken for granted as the ordinary way to conduct romantic relationships. As such, it is granted power and idealized. The discourse of mono-realism disrupts the discourse of mono-normativity, as it challenges the idealization of monogamous romantic relationships. The discourses were fraught with discursive struggle; however, they also combined to create a new way of animating the meaning of monogamy.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Recommended Citation
Webb, Stephanie K., "Dialogic Constructions of Monogamy: The Discursive Struggles of Mono-Normativity and Mono-Realism" (2015). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 693.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/693
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
Rights holder
Stephanie K Webb
File size
70 p.
Copyright date
2015
File format
application/pdf
Language
en
Discipline
Communication