Critical Perspectives on 21st Century Friendship Polyamory, Polygamy, and Platonic Affinity

"This edited collection provides a rare and truly interdisciplinary study of friendship as a theoretical concept. The editors traverse law, popular culture and academia as the contributors explore compassionate concepts that deserve more scholarly attention. The volume is a refreshing journey that helps provide a much needed optimistic frame in an age of cynicism and propaganda.?

-- Richard Jochelson
Associate Professor
Co-Editor in Chief, Criminal Law Edition of Manitoba Law Journal & Robsoncrim.com

The topic of friendship is significant in the lives of many women, and becomes ever more important as a field of scholarly inquiry due to the revolutionary potential of feminist friendship. It becomes clear throughout Critical Perspectives on 21st Century Friendship that friendship is often a means through which women resist structures of oppression. The authors also make clear that friendship - in particular friendship amongst women - is understudied and misunderstood. Much of the narrative around ?girl? friendships is that they are difficult, rife with jealousy and backstabbing, and nearly impossible for ?cool girls? to maintain. This highlights the stereotypically gendered ways that female friendships are understood, against which this manuscript provides an interesting and necessary rebuttal.

-- Jen Chisholm, Assistant Professor, Department of Women's Studies, Lakehead University.