You Me Her: A heteronormative representative of polyamory?

Author: Elisa Armstrong

Armstrong, Elisa, 2018 You Me Her: A heteronormative representative of polyamory?, Flinders University, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

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Abstract

This work explores the representation of polyamory in the American scripted television show You Me Her. Polyamory features rarely in popular culture, so it is important to consider how it is represented and the resulting understanding of polyamory that people gain from the show. The representation in You Me Her has potential social implications for those practicing polyamory. Academic work and books on polyamory were explored alongside You Me Her to understand what the show chose to include and to compare the experiences of the characters with real lived-experience described in research and texts. Whilst You Me Her does explore some key aspects of polyamory, ultimately it frames polyamory within a heteronormative and mononormative perspective.

Keywords: polyamory, nonmonogamy, consensual nonmonogamy, mononormative relationships

Subject: Women's Studies thesis

Thesis type: Masters
Completed: 2018
School: College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Supervisor: Dr Heather Brook