The State of Affairs: Explorations in infidelity and Commitment

by Duncombe; Jean

• ISBN13: 9780805844580
• ISBN10: 0805844589
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-04-28
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This volume brings together contributions on the study of sexual affairs in committed personal relationships. The editors enlisted colleagues with varied theoretical and methodological perspectives from Britain, the United States, and other countries. Together, their contributions provide a broad, cross-national perspective on affairs. Grounded in theoretical discussion, the chapters in this book introduce data collected by a broad range of methods, including attitude surveys, large statistical cohort studies, case studies, depth interviews, and group discussions. A number of contributors locate the theoretical discussion of affairs within the broader contemporary ordering of committed relationships, contrasting the liberating and empowering aspects of affairs with the damage they may inflict on society as a whole and on the lives of individuals and families. The themes of passion, transgression, secrecy, lies, betrayal, and gossip are common to a range of chapters throughout. The volume provides broad literature reviews and theoretical discussions concerning particular aspects of affairs, such as communication and jealousy. In addition, case studies are used for the more detailed exploration of heterosexual affairs and contemporary developments in gay male and lesbian relationships. The State of Affairswill be of interest to researchers, scholars, and students in social psychology; communication; sociology; family, social, and clinical psychology; and for practitioners in couple counseling.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword	vii
Steve Duck, Series Editor
Preface	xi
Kaeren Harrison and Dennis Marsden
About the Contributors	xxiii
1 Sex, Lies, and ... Transformation	1	(14)
Lise VanderVoort and Steve Duck
2 The Sociological Significance of Affairs	15	(20)
David H.J. Morgan
3 Intimacy, Negotiated Nonmonogamy, and the Limits of the Couple	35	(24)
Lynn Jamieson
4 Communication and Marital Infidelity	59	(20)
Anita L. Vangelisti and Mandi Gerstenberger
5 Renaissance of Romanticism in the Era of Increasing Individualism	79	(24)
Osmo Kontula and Elina Haavio-Mannila
6 Men, Women, and Infidelity: Sex Differences in Extradyadic Sex and Jealousy	103	(18)
Bram P. Buunk and Pieternel Dijkstra
7 Being Unfaithful: His and Her Affairs	121	(20)
Graham Allan
8 "From Here to Epiphany ...": Power and Identity in the Narrative of an Affair	141	(26)
Jean Duncombe and Dennis Marsden
9 A Different Affair? Openness and Nonmonogamy in Same Sex Relationships	167	(20)
Brian Heaphy, Catherine Donovan, and Jeffrey Weeks
10 Affairs and Children	187	(16)
Jean Duncombe and Dennis Marsden
11 The Role of Female Friends In the Management of Affairs	203	(20)
Kaeren Harrison
References	223	(18)
Author Index	241	(8)
Subject Index	249