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Sexualised Governmentalities

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Sexualised Governmentalities

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Sociology ((BRIEFSSOCY))

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Abstract

This chapter critically examines the concept of sexualised governmentalities as it manifests within media narratives and the lived experiences of men who have sex with other men and avoid penetrative sex. The chapter challenges the portrayal of male sexuality in the media, highlighting how non-penetrative practices among men who have sex with men are marginalised, creating a stigmatising discourse that conflates masculinity with penetrative sex. Through empirical research, the impact of these portrayals on the self-perception and societal treatment of these men is revealed. The study underscores the role of the media as a pedagogical tool, influencing public perception and reinforcing societal norms around sexuality. The findings advocate for a broader representation of sexual practices in media narratives, emphasising the importance of visibility in fostering inclusivity and mitigating the effects of stigma. This chapter contributes to the discourse on the social construction of sexuality and calls for critical engagement with media representations to challenge and expand the narratives that define male sexual identity.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The examples of media portrayals of sides referred to in this chapter come from TV series. Examples of media representations of non-penetrative sexual practices from other media outlets are referred to in Chap. 1 of this book.

  2. 2.

    Michel Foucault’s concept of governmentality refers to the way in which the state exercises control over, or governs, its population. This concept extends beyond traditional notions of government to include various methods and techniques of managing people, such as through institutions, surveillance, and personal conduct. Foucault saw governmentality as a way of understanding how modern states exert power not just through laws and force, but also through shaping individuals’ self-concepts and behaviors, effectively governing their mentalities. More about this can be found in Foucault’s 1978–1979 lectures curated in Senellart, M., & Burchell, G. (2008). The birth of biopolitics: Lectures at the Collége de France, 1978–1979. Picador.

  3. 3.

    Chapters 1 and 3 offer a more detailed discussion regarding neoliberalism, homonormativity, and homosexism.

  4. 4.

    All participant names offered here are pseudonyms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Communications, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

    Angelos Bollas

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  1. Angelos Bollas
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Bollas, A. (2024). Sexualised Governmentalities. In: Sexualised Governmentalities. SpringerBriefs in Sociology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57009-4_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57009-4_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-57008-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-57009-4

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