L'amore di chi? Decostruzioni e ricostruzioni di un'istituziione sociale

In this article, I consider (romantic) love as a social institution, as a set of co-constructed rules aiming to "order" and "manage" sexual interactions among individuals. At least to the extent to which there is a widespread and continuous reference to them by the part of individuals social institutions do work. However, there will always be a certain number of individuals who do not conform, and this opens up the possibility to put social institutions under question, including (romantic) love. As a matter of fact, it presupposes a certain model of the "normal" human being, and this implies that only the individuals fitting that model are considered "able to love", so to speak. After a theoretical discussion, I introduce some examples of "different" understandings of love coming from individuals who do not fit that "normal" model for various reasons. Their experiences, and especially practices, in the field of sexuality and affectivity should become a relevant starting point also for a serious rethinking of love as a social institution.