The accomplishment of happiness: feminism, pleasure, heterosexuality and consumption

Abstract

This article explores some of the available sociological orientations towards happiness, linking these with feminist debates about pleasure, heterosexuality, agency and consumption, as well as utilizing my own autobiographical narrative from working with other feminists over the years in academia. Its central premise is that feminist debates and concerns can take forward sociological debates on happiness in new directions and in more nuanced ways. Conversely, current sociological theorizing on happiness can inform contemporary feminist debates on the key issues that I focus on. Two UK ESRC case studies on mundane heterosexualities and footwear, identity and transition are utilized to argue for the need to see happiness as an accomplishment that is achieved within social relationships, and through the life course.

Keywords:

• Feminism
• happiness
• pleasure
• heterosexuality
• consumption
• agency

Acknowledgements

This article is informed by a co-written keynote paper with Emeritus Professor Jenny Hockey, University of Sheffield, presented at the conference Gendering Happiness: The Power of Pleasure, Centre for Gender Studies, University of Hull in 2014. I would like to thank Jenny for her pertinent comments on drafts of this article.