Intimate Relationships Across Boundaries

This collection explores intermarriage and related relationships around the world since the eighteenth century, considering who participated in these unions, how common they were, and the role of boundaries such as social, geographic, religious, and ethnic divides. It also questions the categories behind these relationships and how bureaucracies and law contributed to the creation of boundaries preventing romantic unions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive collection delves into the intricate realm of intermarriage and its associated relationships across the globe since the eighteenth century. The contributors embark on a captivating exploration, shedding light on how intimate connections have challenged and redefined boundaries of various kinds, including social, geographic, religious, and ethnic. Through their insightful analysis, the volume addresses a multitude of related issues, such as the identities of those involved in these unions, their prevalence and contextual variations, and the broader categories that shape these relationships. Taking a global perspective, the book also questions the very foundations upon which these unions are constructed. It examines how geographical boundaries, whether spanning national borders, distinctions between colonies and metropoles, or metaphorical representations of the "East" and the "West," have influenced the treatment of intermarriage. Additionally, it explores the role of social and symbolic boundaries, such as presumed racial, religious, or socio-economic divides, in shaping these relationships and the extent to which they were blurred or challenged by contemporaries. Furthermore, the book delves into the impact of bureaucracies and legal frameworks on the creation of boundaries that hinder romantic unions. The contributors argue that intimate relationships have brought to the forefront assumptions about community, culture, and the sanctity of the realm of love and family.

The chapters in this book originally appeared as a special issue of The History of the Family, showcasing the depth and richness of the research conducted by the contributors. This collection serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of intermarriage and its impact on societies throughout history.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367751333