Close adult Relationships Week 11

Same Sex Couple Census

• accounted for 0.9% of all couple households in Australia

• 51% male couples, 49% female couples

• 22% of female couples had children living with them

• 3% of male couples had children living with them

Same-Sex Marriage IN Australia

• Legalised in 2017 after nationwide postal vote

• 6538 same sex marriages in 2018

• 5507 same sex marriages in 2019

• more female couples married in 2019 (58.9%)

Same Sex Vs Different Sex Couples

No difference in average relationship quality, with similar trajectories of relationship quality overtime

• some find no differences between couples, whereas other studies find differences

• However after long follow-up periods suggest same sex couples are at higher risk of breakup

Division of Labour In Same Sex Couples

Have more egalitarian division of labour

• benefits and challenges of same-sex couple role-models

Disclosure of Relationship/Sexual Orientation

• Level of ‘outness’ to family, friends, colleagues, pubic displays of affection

• discrepancies

Sexual Activity and Same Sex Couples

• Decline in sexual frequency over time

• sexual satisfaction highest among female couples

• non-monogamous relationships more common among male

Predictors of Relationship Quality

Some same between straight. andgay couples: communication, conflict patterns, cycles of interaction, psychological adjustment of each partner, social support

• unique predictors: minority stress, stigma, discrimination

Threats to LGBTQIA+ Well-Being

• Discrimination: Subtle, overt or systematic

• Heteronormativity: hetersexuality is assumed, rather than one of several possibilities (presumption, either implicit of explicit)

• Internalised StigmaL internalisation of Societes Negative omophobic attitudes

Internalised Stigma

Internalisation of societies negative homophobic attitudes

• shame regarding ones sexual orientations

• subtle or explicit

• predicts low couple satisfaction among same-sex couples, scared os disclosure and leads. torelational ambivalence

Sexual Intimacy

Potential impact of early learning about sex

1. paternal attitudes about sex

2. parental attitude towards same sex sexuality?

3. may not have received any sex education within school or family

4. influence of internalized homophobia and shame

5. discrepancies between partners

• sexual compatibility in gay males, open relationships being more common in male couples

Bisexuality

Often face discrimination from both heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ communities

• many myths and incorrect assumptions about bisexual people

People Who Are Living With HIV

• internalised stigma and shame can be common hen diagnosed "i deserved it", "im dirty", "im reckless" , "its my fault"

• fear if disclosure to important peoples in ones live

• coping wit discrimination about HIV status and commonly held myths about HIV

• serodiscordant relationships

Gender and Sex Key Terms

1. assigned vs affirmed

2. gender vs sex

3. transgender/trans - sex assigned at birth no same as identified gender

4. cisgender - assigned sex and gender identity aligned

5. may or may not identify along binary (man or women)

6. terms that may be used to describe one's gender

7. women, man non-binary, gender diverse, gender variant, queer, gender fluid, genderqueer

8. agender/non-gendered

Trans Experiences of Dating and Relationships

Experience more stress, discrimination, and violence

• difficulties coming out to parents

• partner may be cisgender and identify has heterosexual or JGB, and the range of responses can

Sexual Intimacy Challenges of Transgender Individuals

1. effects of gender dysphoria on emotions about sex and one's body

2. physiological changes due to hormones

• distinguishing between genuine interest and those who are 'chasing' trans people to sate (fetishizing trans people)

Race

Refers to the social construction and categorization of people based on perceived shared physical traits that result in the maintenance of a socio political hierarchy

• loosely applies to geographic, cultural, religious, r national groups

• self reported race frequently varies owing to changing social contexts and an individual’s possible identification with more than one race

Ethnicity

Characterization of people based o having a shared culture related to common ancestry and shared history

Inter-Ethnic Relationships In Australia

• both partners born in the same MES country = 4%

• Both partners from the same NMES country = 15%

• One Australian born, one NMES country = 11%

• One Australian born, one NMES country born = 8%

• Both partners from overseas, from different countries = 6%

• Both Partners born in Australia = 56%

Intercultural Couple Challenges

• negotiation and managing differences between partners

1. communication

2. gender roles

3. financial management

4. intimacy

5. the role of family

6. religion

7. politics

8. relationship standards

9. celebrations, important families, food, etc

Interracial Couples Challenges

• negotiating how to raise children

1. religion

2. cultural practises

3. education

4. values

• Coping with External problems:

1. managing societal disapproval

2. managing potential disparities between partners in racial privilege

3. managing challenges with extended family disapproval

Intercultural Couples

At higher risk of breakup, but sometimes depends on race and gender variation

• societal stigma and discrimination is likely to contribute to a higher risk of a break-uo

How to Manage Intercultural Couples

1. one-way adjustment (one partner goes in to culture of the other)

2. Alternative adjustment (partner alternative)

3. simultaneous adjustment: aspects of both cultures adopted at the same time

4. Mixing/compromise: aspects of both cultures adopted, taking turns

5. Creative adjustment (couple adopts another culture but finds their own/creative solution)

• effective comminication

Consensual Non Monogamy

Relational agreement where partners agree that it is acceptable to have more than one romantic/sexual relationship at any one time

• consensual arrangement instead of achievement

Types of Non-Monogamy

1. swinging - couple has other exual partners, usually at eents specifically designed for this purpose

2. Polyamory - people free to have multiple romantc relationships, generally with commitment

3. open relationships - primary couple pursues other connections that are generally soley about sex

Studies Comparing Monogamous and Non-Monogamous People

1. 1507 individuals in monogamous relationships

2. 617 individuals in non-monogamous relationships

3. 51% polyamorous

4. 25% swinging

5. 25% open relationships

• no significant differences in age, ethnicity, eduction, length of relationship with primary partner

• no significant difference between monogamous and non-monogamous people in relationships on

1. satisfaction with relationship

2. commitment

3. passionate love

• monogamous people (compared to non-monogamous people)

1. higher jealousy (attitudes

2. higher jealousy (behaviours)

3. less trust

Amount of Consensual Non-Monogamous Relationships

• about 3.5-5.0% of people in relationships identify as being swingers, in an open relationship, or polyamorous

• about 20% of single Americans have participated in a CNM relationship at some point in their lives

• most people hold beliefs that monogamous relationships are more committed, trusting and sexually satisfying, and les likely to feature jealousy compared to non-monogamous relationships

• non-monogamous relationships often perceived negatively

Compared Monogamy with Three Categories of Non-monogamy:

• Monogamous (compared to swingers) reported - higher jealously

• Monogamous (compared to open relationships) reported:

1. higher relationship satisfaction and commitment

2. higher passionate love

3. higher jealousy (attitudes)

• Monogamous (compared to polyamorous)

1. higher jealousy (attitudes)

2. higher jealousy (behaviours)

3. lower satisfaction, commitment and trust

4. lower passionate love

Open Relationships

More common in gay male relationships → 60% of gay male couples are open

• no differences in satisfaction between gay men in open vs. monogamous relationships

• agreements are critical

Polyamory

can take many forms

• hierarchical - primary and secondary partners

• non-hierarchical relationships

• relationship anarchy may be considered a type of polyamory

1. not subscribed to built in societal expectations for relationships

2. more explicitly "anti-monogamy"

3. dont rank romantic partners, and dont consider romantic relationships higher than friends

4. much debate about definitions of relationship anarchy