Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio State University, 1987. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-71). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

The number of single people is increasing in the Western world. Despite this and a trend towards individualisation, women are still stigmatised for being single. Quantitative studies have shown that physical appearance and romantic relationships are two interconnected areas by demonstrating that single women who seek a partner are more sensitive to their appearance. This can have adverse psychological implications, such as body image concerns or low self-esteem. How physical appearance is experienced in the context of partner seeking remains however understudied. To address this gap, this study explores qualitatively how women feel about themselves and their appearance when seeking a partner. Eight women, who had been single for at least one year, were interviewed. Data gathered from the semistructured interviews were transcribed and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), chosen due to its in-depth exploration of the participants’ experiences. Four master themes were identified: I) The intrusive Other: Experiencing a sense of restriction when seeking a partner; II) Self-rejection when seeking a partner; III) Appearance as a means of control when seeking a partner; and IV) Feeling overwhelmed: The emotional intensity of seeking a partner. The results revealed that women who seek a partner experience several tensions regarding their appearance, their singleness and their social interactions. They are left excessively outer-focused, which is self-silencing and disconnecting. The implication for clinical practice is that counselling psychologists should acknowledge public and private aspects of distress when working with women who seek a partner. It is advised to stay with different tensions and to explore their underlying anxiety phenomenologically instead of either glamourising or pathologising women’s experiences of partner seeking. Limitations are discussed, including that this study does not consider the experiences of women who wish to remain single, which can be addressed in future research.

This thesis depicts the growth and history of New Orlens before 1860 as it was seen by vistors from the outside.

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“Shengnü” (“leftover women”) has become a popular discourse in China during recent years. In existing literature and media coverage, discussion on shengnü often draws on population gender imbalance, western individualization theories, and women’s “too picky” mating criteria. Seeing beyond these perspectives, this research aims to problematize the myth of shengnü by explicating how this social phenomenon indicates the changing gender landscape and emerging new femininity in modern China. The empirical study is based on in-depth interviews with 36 women regarding their lived experience of partner selection through xiangqin (matchmaking). Their experience of participating in commercial xiangqin (matchmaking websites, matchmaking fairs, high-end matchmaking clubs, marriage hunting, and matchmaking TV shows) and parents-arranged xiangqin are investigated. Findings in the research demonstrate that empowered by a series of social structural changes in reform-era China, modern women have rising expectations in partner selection and they possess greater control over intimate relationship. It is argued that xiangqin in contemporary China provides a stage for rising new Chinese femininity characterized by pragmatic idealism. To maximize their gain in the marriage market, from modern commercialized xiangqin to “old fashioned” parents-arranged xiangqin, modern Chinese women proactively seize every opportunity to approach potential partners. However, while engaging in xiangqin, the practice in which the purpose of partner selection is directly and pragmatically foregrounded, they have not given up the romantic pursuit in their relationship ideal. The central discourse of “gan jue (感觉feelings)” in their mating concerns suggests that they consciously avoid downgrading themselves as slaves of pragmatism and proudly distinguish themselves from women of pervious generations who satisfy with conventional pattern of intimacy that centers on “da huo guo ri zi (搭伙过日子making a mundane living together)”. When dealing with intergenerational dynamics in partner selection, although they make conditional compromise pertaining to intimacy and resource flows between generations, they also demarcate their non-negotiable territory. This research helps to problematize the indefinable essence and transcendental nature in Western theorization of love; it also contributes to question existing literature that pragmatism and materialism dominate contemporary Chinese love culture under the context of market economy. It reveals that constraining cultural and structural forces still limit single women’s bargaining power in current Chinese society; and modern Chinese women make different kinds of adjustments to expand their life opportunities. Through frankly articulating their materially grounded concerns in partner selection, they redefine romance in precarious social environment and stage new morality in post-socialist China. By sticking to a “bu cou huo (不凑合no compromise)” stance in their pursuit of love, they demonstrate their persistence and strength as modern Chinese women. Their relevant site-specific femininity performance also exemplifies the flexibility of modern women in achieving their life ambitions. / published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Recently there has been an increase in academic scholarship focused on the lived experiences and health of transgender people; however, few studies have explored the romantic relationships of transgender individuals, particularly of transgender men. Among the general population, relationships have been shown to be central to both identity formation and as support in terms of health and wellbeing, and are therefore a potential factor of resilience of vital importance given the health disparities found among the transgender population. This dissertation is comprised of three articles investigating the dating and relationship experiences of transgender men from both individual and couple level perspectives, and employs Sexual Script Theory as a conceptual framework through which to analyze and interpret study findings. The first article provides a comprehensive review of the literature that has examined the relationships of transgender men and makes recommendations for future research to address gaps and limitations identified in these studies. The second article presents the findings from an investigation of N = 24 couples of transgender men and their cisgender female (n = 12) or male (n = 12) partners who completed in-depth qualitative, individual and dyadic interviews. The third article is a secondary analysis of data from a mixed-methods study on gender and HIV risk among N = 228 cisgender men who have sex with transgender men exploring their characteristics, attractions, identities, behaviors, relationships, sexuality, and health. Findings reported and discussed in these three articles include that transgender men and their partners, despite a number of identified barriers, form enduring and satisfying relationships. Prevailing cultural scripts of heteronormativity and homonormativity provide transgender men and their partners a blueprint for actualizing gender identity and for obtaining recognition and validation as a couple. However, these normative scripts are not always a perfect fit and include barriers to private and public affirmation of identity and fulfillment of sexual and intimacy needs. Transgender men and their partners simultaneously reinforce and challenge normative, relationship scripts, and in doing so, contribute to the evolution of social norms regarding gender and sexuality. Implications for the health and wellbeing of both transgender men and their partners are discussed.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Bowling Green State University, 2007. / Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 178 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-81).

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Feb 17, 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Thesis advisor: Dr. M. Lynne Cooper. Includes bibliographical references.