title: Exploring social class: voices of inter-class couples.
abstract: Social class is not often discussed or examined in-depth in couple and family therapy research and literature even though social class shapes familial relationships and is considered an important variable in marital satisfaction. In this qualitative study, we explored the perceptions of eight couples who made lasting commitments across class lines by asking them about the impact of their social class backgrounds on their relationships. Three categories of themes emerged including: (a) differences and similarities in values and attitudes toward education, work, money, and class awareness/classism, (b) relationship issues involving families of origin, friends, and class-based couple conflict, and (c) differences in economic resources, social capital and privileges/opportunities. Implications for assessment and treatment of couples are included.
authors: Lewis and Clark College.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: McDowell
authors: Tatiana
authors: T
authors: Melendez-Rhodes
authors: Erin
authors: E
authors: Althusius
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Hergic
authors: Gillian
authors: G
authors: Sleeman
authors: Nicky Kieu My
authors: NK
authors: Ton
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Zimpfer-Bak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005191:Family Characteristics; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012923:Social Class