The narrative nature of sexual life

Abstract This chapter argues that in order to understand the nature of contemporary sexual citizenship, one needs to critically examine the narratives that underpin claims to citizenship. To that end, it introduces the importance of narrative and the work of Paul Ricoeur, in particular. The concept of narrative identity and how people construct themselves through the stories they tell is described as a way to connect the psychological and social-cultural. The narrative tradition in the social science is then introduced, with early foundational work from figures including Sarbin, Gergen, and Bruner discussed. The importance of tradition and critique within this narrative understanding is then explained as a key concept. The chapter concludes by exploring work on sexual storytelling, notably by Plummer; queer critique; and the value of tradition.