Couple Relationships in the 21st Century (eBook)

Jacqui Gabb is Professor of Sociology and Intimacy in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at The Open University, UK. Janet Fink is Professor of Childhood and Personal Relationships in the School of Education and Professional Development at the University of Huddersfield, UK.

Foreword 6
References 9
Preface 11
Politics and policy 11
Relationship trends and experiences 14
Research impact and the dissemination of findings 16
References 19
Series Editors’ Preface 23
Acknowledgements 25
Contents 27
List of Figures 29
List of Tables 30
1: Introduction 31
Researching couple relationships 31
Demographic and policy contexts 33
Academic contexts 35
Socio-cultural contexts 36
Couple practices 38
The book 42
Notes 46
References 46
2: Relationship Work 53
Gifts and thoughtful gestures 57
Household chores and childcare 59
Cooking 62
Couple time 66
Home comforts 69
Notes 76
References 76
3: Communication 79
Talking and listening 80
Relating to each other 84
Online and off-track 86
Deep knowing, beyond words 90
Differences, arguments and reflexive bickering 92
Laughter, humour and banter 96
The relations of love and loving relations 98
Notes 104
References 104
4: Sex and Intimacy 107
Engendering intimacy 108
The in/significance of sex 113
Sex and parenting 117
Making space for intimacy 120
Ageing bodies and relationship duration 125
Notes 130
References 131
5: Unsettling Coupledom 134
Parenting 137
Pets 140
Cultural difference 144
Non-monogamies 148
Friends 151
Couple display 154
Notes 158
References 158
6: Conclusion 163
Time and the mundane nature of relationship work 164
The meanings of love in contemporary times 166
Communication and the importance of home 168
Conclusion 171
References 172
Appendix 1: Researching Couples’ Long-­Term Relationships 173
Researching couples’ long-term relationships 173
Online survey 174
Qualitative design and methods 176
Appendix 2: Tables 182
Bibliography 189
Index 191