heteropessimism en · NOUN
Etymology
From hetero- + pessimism, coined by sexuality scholar Asa Seresin, see quotations.
Meanings
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(neologism, uncountable) Disillusionment with heterosexuality, typically expressed in an ironic, performative manner and grounded in an essentialist or deterministic view of gender relations.
Through a queer lens, heteroresignation or heteropessimism appears to be a rite of passage for straight women.
2020, Jane Ward, “Deep Heterosexuality: […]”, in The Tragedy of Heterosexuality, New York, N.Y.: New York University Press, →ISBN, page 162:What I now see is that Nelson’s caveat is typical of heteropessimism, a mode of feeling with a long history, and which is particularly palpable in the present. Heteropessimism consists of performative disaffiliations with heterosexuality, usually expressed in the form of regret, embarrassment, or hopelessness about straight experience. […] “Heterosexuality is a prison!” a chorus declared, vocalizing one of heteropessimism’s central maxims.
2019 October 9, Asa Seresin, “On Heteropessimism”, in The New Inquiry, New York, N.Y.: The New Inquiry, Inc.:Furthermore, this often leads to instances where monogamy itself is looked down upon as being too conservative, a sign of pathological jealousy, and so—clear signs that polyamory is often just another manifestation of heteropessimism.
2020, Bonni Rambatan, Jacob Johanssen, “Heteropessimism and Digital Anesthesia”, in Event Horizon: Sexuality, Politics, Online Culture, and the Limits of Capitalism, Alresford, Hampshire: Zero Books, published 2021, →ISBN:I just don't find resigned heteropessimism soothing anymore. Isn't so much of our frustration rooted in the feeling that things don't have to be this way? I don't want to recite the same story about preordained gender relations just so I can be pissed off about them. I want them to change.
2023, Gina Rushton, The Parenthood Dilemma: Procreation in the Age of Uncertainty, page 113:
Relateds
heteropessimistic · heteropessimist