Gender and Close Relationships

by Barbara Winstead; Valerian J. Derlega; Suzanna Rose

• ISBN13: 9780803971677
• ISBN10: 0803971672
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-04-09
• Publisher: Sage Publications

Summary

'Gender and Close Relationships deals wirh gender and its possible effects on aims and behaviour in close relationships: dating, romantic and sexual partnerships, marriage and friendship. The authors warn their readers that they should bot be looking at why there are gender differences, but at whether, when and under what conditions. The book starts with the explanatory concepts that have been found useful in considering these questions. The authors suggest two dimensions of explanations for gender differences: one dimension involves structural (social roles and expectations) versus individual (traits, needs etc.) explanations. The other dimension distinguishes between socialisation and biological explanations.... This is not just a textbook describing research. It is a polemical text which openly suggests that "we may not fare well in ongoing relationships with these individuals (with traditional gender roles)".... This is a useful source book, enlivened by frequent vignettes' - The British Psychological Society, Psychology of Women Section NewsletterGender is an extremely important factor in virtually all of our close relationships: how we interact with one another during each stage of a relationship is influenced by the volatile - and sometimes divisive - role that gender plays.This volume explores gendered interaction and the ways in which gender influences how others perceive and treat us. The authors demonstrate how societies construct and create gendered relationships, but also suggest how 'non-traditional' close relationships may strengthen, or make irrelevant, gender-linked behaviour.

Table of Contents

Series Editors' Introduction	ix
Preface	xii
Introduction	1	(17)
Explaining Gender Differences in Relationships	3	(1)
Dimension 1: Structural Versus Individual	4	(4)
Dimension 2: Socialization Versus Biology	8	(7)
Preview	15	(3)
Attraction and Dating	18	(23)
Choice of a Romantic Partner	19	(7)
``Opposites'' Attract?	26	(1)
Dating	27	(4)
``Being Good at Being a Man (Or Woman)''	31	(4)
``Safer Sex'': Condom Use Among Dating Couples	35	(3)
Perceived Benefits and Costs of Romantic Relationships	38	(2)
Conclusions	40	(1)
Sexual Relations	41	(25)
Male and Female Attitudes About Acceptable Sexual Behaviors	42	(5)
Why Men and Women Hold Different Attitudes About Sex in Casual Relationships	47	(3)
Reasons Given by Females and Males for Having Sex	50	(5)
Sexual Role-Playing: Who Initiates, Who Sets Limits?	55	(5)
Forced Sex	60	(4)
Conclusions	64	(2)
Relationship Maintenance	66	(22)
Maintenance Behaviors	67	(4)
Predicting Relationship Satisfaction and Stability	71	(6)
Division of Labor	77	(9)
Conclusions	86	(2)
Conflict and Violence	88	(22)
The Demand-Withdrawal Interaction Pattern	89	(6)
Gender Stereotypes About How Men and Women Cope With Conflict	95	(1)
Is There a Physiological Explanation for Why Men May Withdraw From High Conflict Situations?	96	(1)
How Do Same-Sex Couples Handle Conflict?	96	(1)
How Males and Females May Be Alike in Coping With Conflict: Relationship Types	97	(1)
Physical Assaults	98	(2)
Gender Differences in Physical Aggressiveness	100	(4)
Interaction Patterns in Couples With a Violent Husband	104	(3)
Violence in Same-Sex Couples	107	(2)
Conclusions	109	(1)
Friendship	110	(20)
Gender Roles and Relationships	111	(3)
Child and Adolescent Friendships	114	(3)
Adult Same-Sex Friendships	117	(6)
Adult Cross-Sex Friendships	123	(5)
Conclusions	128	(2)
Epilogue: Final Thoughts	130	(7)
Theories Revisited	131	(2)
Research on Gender and Relationships	133	(1)
Implications for Your Relationships	134	(3)
References	137	(18)
Index	155	(12)
About the Authors	167