title: Gender and the construction of intimacy among committed couples with children.
abstract: This study began with curiosity regarding how long-term couples with children manage their relationships in view of changing societal demands and ideals. Couples interviewed for this study described the intersection of time and intimacy as a core issue. Thus, this analysis focused on how couples construct intimacy in shared time. The diverse sample included 17 heterosexual working and professional class couples in the United States who had been committed for at least 10 years and whose oldest child was aged 6-16. Analysis identified four types of shared time experiences: gender divided, elusive, growing, and emotionally connected. Four factors influenced these types: (a) negotiated gendered differences, (b) intentionality, (c) mutual attending, and (d) dyadic friendship. The most emotionally connected couples reported that time together reinforced satisfaction and pleasure from their relationships. Results help explain different ways couples successfully negotiate changing expectations for heterosexual relationships and why some couples struggle. Findings suggest that therapists help couples intentionally develop habits of friendship and mutual attending.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Mental Health Program, University of Redlands, Redlands, CA.
authors.forename: Conroy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling and Family Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Knudson-Martin
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D017008:Negotiating; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D017748:Time Management; D014481:United States
keywords: Couples; Emotional Connection; Gender; Intimacy; Time Together; acompañamiento mutuo; conexión emocional; género; intimidad; parejas; tiempo juntos; 亲密关系; 伴侣; 共度时光; 性别; 情感关联; 相互关照