Surrogacy and the Reproduction of Normative Family on TV

1. Auflage 2019
ISBN: 978-3-030-17572-6
Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buch, Englisch, 258 Seiten, Paperback, Format (B × H): 148 mm x 210 mm, Gewicht: 366 g

Reihe: Palgrave Studies in Science and Popular Culture

This book examines the proliferation of surrogacy storylines on TV, exploring themes of infertility, motherhood, parenting and family. It investigates how, despite reproductive technologies’ ability to flex contours of family, the shows’ narratives work to uphold the white, heterosexual, genetically-reproduced family as the ideal. In dialogue with responses from a range of female viewers, both mothers and non-mothers, the book scrutinises the construction of family ideology on television with studies including Coronation Street (1960-present), Giuliana & Bill (2009-2014), Rules of Engagement (2007-2013), The New Normal (2012-2013), Top of the Lake: China Girl (2017) The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-present) and film Baby Mama (2008). These studies raise a number of questions; is homosexuality only acceptable when it echoes heterosexual norms? Are female characters only fulfilled when they are genetic mothers? Does heterosexual romanceoverride technology in the cure for infertility? While the answers to these questions may suggest that television still conforms to heteronormative narratives, this book importantly demonstrates that audiences desire alternative happy endings that show infertile female characters more positively and recognise alternative kinship formations as meaningful.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Le Vay, Lulu

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Gruppen/Soziale Themen Gender Studies, Geschlechtersoziologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Theater- und Filmwissenschaft | Andere Darstellende Künste Filmwissenschaft, Fernsehen, Radio Fernsehdrehbücher
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Familiensoziologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: The reproduction of the family.- Chapter 3: Cultural narratives of the family.- Chapter 4: I want a baby!.- Chapter 5: Becoming ordinary.- Chapter 6: Infertile bodies.- Chapter 7: Queer futures.- Chapter 8: The Conclusion.

Über Autor(innen)

Lulu Le Vay is a Visiting Lecturer and Module Leader for University of West London, Roehampton, and University of Westminster, UK. She is also a professional DJ and music consultant who performs regularly at art happenings and exclusive music events across the UK and globally.