Non-normative Relationships: Is There a Norm of (Non)normativity?

The call for papers for this special issue of the Western Journal of Communication requested manuscripts on 'non-normative relationships.' Specifically, relational contexts potentially appropriate for the special issue included, but were not limited to, long-distance relationships, online relationships,

Whether implicitly or explicitly, what the call for papers suggests is that 'non-normative relationships' are somehow akin to or aligned with 'under-studied relationships.' A paucity of research exists in the communication literature under the banner of 'under-studied relationships.' Wood and Duck (1995), however, provided an edited volume on 'under-studied relationships' a decade ago. Their text examined a variety of relationship types that were argued as under-studied at the time. Under-studied relationship types that are showcased in the Wood and Duck text include long-lasting marriages, intercultural relationships, gay and lesbian relationships, working relationships and friendships, cohabiting relationships, long-distance relationships, and online relationships. Even less exists in the extant communication literature under the banner of 'non-normative relationships.'