Gender and Sexuality

Catherine Hakim’s latest book, “Honey Money: The Power of Erotic Capital” argues that women should use their sex appeal to get ahead in life. The book continues to generate press in the UK, USA and in Australian, such as in The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald.  The latter alludes to the fact that Hakim’s work distorts French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu’s notion of cultural capital. Hakim’s theory replicates taken-for-granted ideas about sex and gender. Sociology is useful only when it takes apart everyday ideas to help people better understand the social origins, and cultural consequences, of behaviour; in this case, sexuality, desire, and what is considered ‘attractive’.

Continue reading Erotic Capital and the Sociology of Beauty