One symptom of individualism in liquid modernity is the search for `identity'. Using the five theoretically discrete articles in this special issue as both a `rich' discursive resource and a point of departure, we develop a supplementary reading of the narratives which appear to inform identity research. We suggest that, while social agents in pursuit of `identity' draw on a cacophony of discursive sources, it is the varieties of `self—other' talk which emerge as the critical ingredient in processes of identity formation. The dualities that all such self—other talk articulate can be seen as discursive reflections of the more fundamental relationship between the individual and sociality. In turn, this is seen to refract one of the persistent problems of organizational analysis: the agency—structure issue. In addition, while we argue that deploying a discursive perspective to analyze identity work offers distinctive insights, such an approach carries with it an epistemological consequence. For what the articles also indicate is that in any attempt to delineate the `identity of identities', researchers need to be aware of not only the reflexivity displayed by social actors constructing `identity' but also of their own role in `re-authoring' such scripts. We briefly explore the implications of this for identity theory and organizational analysis more generally.

No abstract

Objective To find out whether taking images of the male and female genitals during coitus is feasible and to find out whether former and current ideas about the anatomy during sexual intercourse and during female sexual arousal are based on assumptions or on facts. Design Observational study. Setting University hospital in the Netherlands. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging was used to study the female sexual response and the male and female genitals during coitus. Thirteen experiments were performed with eight couples and three single women. Results The images obtained showed that during intercourse in the "missionary position" the penis has the shape of a boomerang and 1/3 of its length consists of the root of the penis. During female sexual arousal without intercourse the uterus was raised and the anterior vaginal wall lengthened. The size of the uterus did not increase during sexual arousal. Conclusion Taking magnetic resonance images of the male and female genitals during coitus is feasible and contributes to understanding of anatomy.

In studies on difference related to age and gender, we face ‘abnormal’ or ‘typical’ work‐life arrangements vis‐à‐vis taken‐for‐granted career concepts. Age and career are conceptualized from different angles depending on politics of work and organization, societal perspectives of age group position, perceived needs to have people work longer, and changing demographics. Underlying all this are questions of how age and gender are constituted in terms of their intersectional, dynamic relationship. We apply a perspective of rhythm to investigate what lies behind the linear life course and career perspectives. The notion of frayed careers serves to highlight rhythm and to criticize linearity and upward direction in views on careers, and at the same time calls for further theory development. In this introduction, we explore the implications of a dynamic‐rhythmic, yet ‘frayed’ perspective on life course, career and gender to represent stages of working life (lives) as interlinked and biographic.

No abstract

International audienc

No abstract

No abstract