interpersonal relationships chapter 4

singles in US

high number (45% of adults)

postpone marriage until age…

age 29: women 28.4 and men 30.3

categories of singles

never married, divorced, widowed

never married

biggest group of singles. men less educated, lower income than married men. women more educated than married women. women have more pressure than men to marry

singleness fun facts

delaying marriage more now, voluntary vs. involuntary singles, most people will marry eventually

singlism

stereotyping, discriminating against someone who’s single

singlehood

associated with young unmarried individuals, but there are 3 categories

sologamy

marrying yourself and commitmenting to singlehood

benefits of singlehood

freedom to do one wishes, variety of lovers, spontaneous lifestyle, responsible for only one person

limitations of marriage

restricted by spouse or children, one sexual partner, possibly of divorce

hanging out

going out in groups to meet others and have fun

hooking up

physical/sexual interaction with no relationship commitment. 22% turn into relationships, women more likely to want relationship

long distance relationship

being separated from partner, can’t meet face to face even weekly

cohabitation

living together, unrelated and involved in an emotional and sexual relationship not married. increase in rates, 3/4s of current marriages started with cohabitation

types of cohabitation

here and now, testers, engaged, marriage never- cohabit forever, money savers, pension partners, security blanket cohabiters, rebellious cohabiters, living together apart

domestic partnership

view living together as “permanent”, a relationship who have chosen to share each other’s lives in intimate and committed relationships

common-law marriage

individuals who live together and who prove through a shared address, bank accounts, children, and so forth that they are married

palimony

money one “pal” who lives with another “pal” may have to pay of the partners end their relationship

living apart together (LAT)

a committed couple (married or unmarried) in which the partners live in separate homes

advantages of LAT

space and privacy, career or workplace, variable sleep needs, allergies, social needs, blended family, cleanliness, elder care, self-expression

disadvantages of LAT

lower levels of happiness, coast, inconvenience, lack of shared history, precarious status