The Romantic Imaginary: Compulsory Coupledom and Single Existence

Abstract

The boundaries and markers of romantic love in UK society have shifted considerably in recent decades. During the period of government under New Labour we witnessed increasing state recognition of same-sex relationships. The heterosexual couple began to no longer be seen as the only form of ‘appropriate’ attachment, and during this period, family law, employment law and immigration law all began to recognize same-sex relationships, with the most significant move being the Civil Partnership Act of 2004.1 Yet, although it may appear that we now have slightly more choices about who and how we love, there is still an underlying assumption that everyone desires to be in some form of romantic relationship. Therefore, although the boundaries of romantic love may appear to have shifted somewhat, the ideology of romantic love still persists (Field, 1995). For example, many current claims to sexual citizenship are made in the name of romantic love; gay marriage marches display banners that ask the state to ‘equalize love’ and polyamorist groups make calls for citizenship with appeals to sameness based upon ‘the right to love’ (Wilkinson, 2010). Perhaps, then, increasingly it may not matter so much who we love, only that we love. This chapter therefore questions if we are ever free to reject romantic love in its entirety.