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COHABITATION RELATIONSHIPS AMONG HOMOSEXUAL MALE AND FEMALE COUPLES

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the cohabitation relationships of homosexual males and females on the following variables: (1) demography, (2) nature of relationship, (3) household management, and (4) sexual activity. / The sample consisted of 153 homosexuals (70 males and 83 females) from 21 different states. Most of the respondents were from Louisiana, Florida, and Massachusetts. Each respondent had been cohabiting in a "quasi-marital" union for at least two months with the largest grouping in the one to five-year range. The occupations were varied with the largest groupings in management, education, and public services. / The data collection instrument was a questionnaire developed by the investigator. It was given on a test-retest basis to establish reliability and was checked for validity through personal interviews. / The questionnaire was distributed by contact persons who were identified through friends, homophile organizations, and newspaper ads. This method of distribution allowed the respondents to remain anonymous. / The results of the study indicated significant differences between the males and females on the following variables: (1) Degrees of Expression: Emotional Involvement, Satisfaction, and Division of Household Tasks, (2) Student Status, (3) Financial Arrangements, (4) "Marriage," (5) Masculine/Feminine Sex Roles, (6) Sexual Activity, and (7) Children. Social-learning theory provided the theoretical framework through which these differences were explained. / The conclusions of this study were that homosexual males and females form intimate and meaningful relationships based on emotional involvement and commitment as well as sexuality. The results also indicated that there are significant differences between the males and females on some of the cohabitation variables due to the differential socialization of males and females in our society. However, these results cannot be generalized to the homosexual population due to lack of randomness in the sample. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-06, Section: A, page: 1928. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75099
ContributorsCHRISTIANSON, BETSY POGUE., Florida State University
Source SetsFlorida State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText
Format219 p.
RightsOn campus use only.
RelationDissertation Abstracts International

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