Eric Anderson is an American sociologist at the University of Winchester known for his research on sport, masculinities, sexualities and homophobia. He shows an increasingly positive relationship between gay male athletes and sports, as well as a growing movement of young heterosexual men’s masculinity becoming softer and more inclusive. Anderson also researches matters related to men’s monogamy, men's improving recognition of bisexuality, and the increased acceptance of young heterosexual men kissing.His new book is The Monogamy Gap: Men, Love, and the Reality of Cheating.
Recently I asked him what he was reading. His reply:
I’m currently re-reading Erving Goffman’s The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Goffman is one of my favoured sociologists, namely because unlike many sociologists who writeLearn more about The Monogamy Gap at the Oxford University Press website.in densely inaccessible post-structuralist style, Goffman merged some aspects of interpretative sociology with a bit of philosophy to be meaningful in a way that is engaging and accessible. I’m revisiting this work because one of my undergraduates is endeavouring to publish an article in a highly-ranked sociology journal. His thesis builds on my work, suggesting that as cultural homophobia decreases masculine behaviours that were once highly stigmatized (and therefore kept in what Goffman called the ‘backstage’) are today proudly displayed in front of their peers. Thus, the backstage becomes the front stage. I’m impressed, so far, with how accurate my student has adapted Goffman!
The Page 99 Test: The Monogamy Gap.
--Marshal Zeringue
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