Publisher's Synopsis
Traditional psychoanalysis has treated lesbian and bisexual women's sexuality as a pathological deviation from the societal "norm". Is it possible for contemporary theorists to use psychoanalysis to understand the sexuality of women without marginalizing bisexual or lesbian women?;In "Other Women" Beverly Burch rethinks traditional psychoanalytic theory in order to embrace women's diverse sexualities. Burch argues convincingly that the dynamics of lesbian and bisexual relationships are "part" of women's "functions". Examining Freudian, Lacanian and Jungian theory, as compared to more recent studies of sexuality, Burch moves beyond "What went wrong?" - a question that often impedes the analytical process - to examine, instead, how desires influence personal identities and choices.;The first part of the book deals with gender identity, developing sexual preferences, and erotic/romantic dynamics within family life. In the second part, Burch theorizes about women's experiences both as partners and parents.
