Age, Gender and Sexuality through the Life Course

Age, Gender and Sexuality through the Life Course argues that the gendered structure of temporality (defined in the dual sense of everyday time as well as age and stage of life) is a key factor underpinning the stalling of the gender revolution. Taking as its central focus the idealised young woman who serves as the mascot of contemporary success, this book demonstrates how the celebration of the Girl is (i) representative of social mobility, educational and professional achievement; (ii) possesses diligence, docility and emotional intelligence, and (iii) displays a reassuring sexuality and youthfulness - but is constructed from the outset to have a fleetingly short life span. Pickard undertakes a theoretical and empirical exploration of the contemporary female experience of education, work, motherhood, sexuality, the challenge of having-it-all. Furthermore, through additional analysis of the transitional 'reproductive regime' from youth into mid-life and beyond, this insightful monograph aims to demonstrate how age and time set very clear limits to what is possible and desirable for the female self; yet how the latter factors also, if used reflexively, can provide the key means of resisting and challenging patriarchy. This book is aimed at a broad interdisciplinary audience located in gender studies, age studies, culture studies, sociology and psychology; accessible for advanced undergraduates and beyond.

Susan Pickard is Reader in Sociology in the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Liverpool, UK.

Acknowledgements Chapter One: Introduction: femininity and age, or, how time is not on our side Chapter Two: The rise and fall of the Girl in time Chapter Three: Structures of the female self Chapter Four: The Girl in time: everyday time, time of life and the structures of femininity Chapter Five: The self through time: feminine plots through the life course Chapter Six: Sex in time: sexual liberation - another stalled revolution Chapter Seven: Conclusion: imagining alternatives to the Girl in time References