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Romantic Relationships in a Time of ‘Cold Intimacies’

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Tests claims of ‘cold intimacies’ in a variety of geopolitical and social contexts
  • Presents alternative theoretical perspectives of romantic relationships
  • Provides an ideal resource for anyone working on couple relationships, marriage and intimacy

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Table of contents (13 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
  2. Introduction

    • Julia Carter, Lorena Arocha
    Pages 1-13
  3. Sexual Abundance and Emotional Inequalities

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 81-81
  4. Back Matter

    Pages 309-313

About this book

This book addresses the nature of intimacy and relationships in a time of what Eva Illouz characterizes as ‘cold intimacies’. The contributors to this collection highlight the ambivalence and tensions contained in ‘intimacy’ by uncovering a nuanced and complex dynamic, in which interpersonal relations and the public sphere are mutually constituted. A range of topics areexplored, including the new conditions of ‘choice’, the abundance of partners, class and emotional competence, rational decision-making and the specific forms of ‘love pain’ which can emerge from cooled intimacy. The chapters also shed light on the limits of this theoretical contribution, highlighting the importance of parenting, violence, poverty, and other material constraints that continue to limit and frame individuals’ romantic choices. Overall this volume presents an interpretation of intimacy that is not just ‘cold’ but includes practices, desires and feelings that are safe and dangerous, that bring solace or erupt in violence, that lead to salvation or condemnation, and where virtual encounters and increased internal and crossborder mobility have altered the relationship between intimacy and (physical/emotional) distance.

Romantic Relationships in a Time of ‘Cold Intimacies’ will be of interest to scholars and students across a range of disciplines, including sociology, social work, social policy and demography, as well as practitioners and policy-makers with an interest in couple relationships.

Editors and Affiliations

  • University of the West of England, Bristol, UK

    Julia Carter

  • University of Hull, Hull, UK

    Lorena Arocha

About the editors

Julia Carter is Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of the West of England, UK. 


Lorena Arocha is Lecturer in Contemporary Slavery (Criminology), University of Hull, UK. 

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access