ICTs, 'Confluent Love' and Global Intimacies

In an ever changing world, globalisation and developments in Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be seen as having a profound impact on many aspects of contemporary society (Held, 1999 & 2000 and Castells, 2000). Arguably, one of the most important changes witnessed in today’s world are those involving our personal relationships and the nature of intimacy (Giddens, 2002). The influence of globalisation and ICT’s in creating opportunities for new and changing ideas of intimacy and relationships will be critically explored herein, in particular reference to the growth of sex tourism and the obtainability of internet brides.