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