The Relationship Trajectory

Organised to reflect the natural trajectory of relationships, this reader uses primary source texts to encourage insight into dating, sexuality, marriage, parenting, and divorce as experienced by people from a broad range of cultural backgrounds. It asks readers to reexamine their own ideas about what constitutes an intimate relationship, and what such relationships have the potential to be.

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Organized to reflect the natural trajectory of relationships, the reader The Relationship Trajectory: Readings on Courtship and Marriage uses primary source texts to engage students and encourage insight into dating, sexuality, marriage, parenting, and divorce as experienced by people from a broad range of cultural backgrounds.

The material provides readers with small windows through which to view the detailed experiences of people who may, or may not, be like them. It asks readers to reexamine their own ideas about what constitutes an intimate relationship, and what such relationships have the potential to be. Topics include partner selection for African American single mothers, the decision to marry, changes resulting from the legalization of same-sex marriage, interracial marriage, difficulties maintaining marriage for military couples, and the stressors that most typically impact those in partnered relationships.

Designed to help readers question the meanings of their own experiences and challenge the assumptions they may have about the experiences of others, The Relationship Trajectory: Readings on Courtship and Marriage is an excellent choice for courses in sociology, family studies, and contemporary relationships.