The voices in this book come from the stories of gay and lesbian partners who talk about their struggles over the years in building a life together. The stories reach beyond the obvious realities of sexual orientation to speak to the joys, sorrows, hopes, and fears of human beings who are committed to making their relationships work. Based on a life-span perspective, in-depth interviews of people whose relationships have lasted more than 15 years explored how partners adapted over the years. Each interview consisted of questions that focused upon dimensions of these relationships over time from the unique perspective of each partner. They were asked about conflict over the years, decision-making styles, ways of working out roles, the importance of social supports, and sexual and psychological intimacy. The research upon which the book is based has continuity with the authors' earlier work on lasting relationships among heterosexual couples, including Lasting Marriages: Men and Women Growing Together (Praeger, 1995). Compared to marriages, relatively little research has been done on the development of same sex relationships. This book will be of great interest to all researchers and students of gender differences, marriage and family therapy, human sexuality, and interpersonal relationships.

Based on in-depth interviews by skilled clinicians with husbands and wives who have been married more than 20 years, Mackey and O'Brien explore how spouses adapt to each other from the early years of marriage, through the parenting years, and into the post-parenting or empty-nest years. Purposively selected for inclusion were spouses representing religious, ethnic, racial, and educational diversity. Given increased life expectancies, couples who stay together will remain together for longer periods of time. As longevity extends into the seventies, eighties, and beyond, it is critical to identify the significant dynamics which contribute to satisfaction among couples in stable marriages. This book responds to this need.

Each chapter focuses on an important theme in these long-term marital relationships. Mackey and O'Brien first explore the beginnings of the relationships and the recollections of how respondents were attracted initially. The next chapters focus on dimensions of marriage as they evolve over time. Collective themes emerging from the interviews are explored in relationship to gender, ethnicity, religion, and education. In view of increased life expectancies, couples who stay together will remain together for longer periods of time. As longevity extends into the seventies, eighties, and beyond, it is critical to identify the significant dynamics which contribute to satisfaction among couples in stable marriages. This book responds to this need among sociologists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family counselors, and general adult readers interested in gender, cultural differences, and interpersonal relationships.

The voices in this book come from the stories of gay and lesbian partners who talk about their struggles over the years in building a life together. The stories reach beyond the obvious realities of sexual orientation to speak to the joys, sorrows, hopes, and fears of human beings who are committed to making their relationships work. Based on a life-span perspective, in-depth interviews of people whose relationships have lasted more than 15 years explored how partners adapted over the years. Each interview consisted of questions that focused upon dimensions of these relationships over time from the unique perspective of each partner. They were asked about conflict over the years, decision-making styles, ways of working out roles, the importance of social supports, and sexual and psychological intimacy.

The research upon which the book is based has continuity with the authors' earlier work on lasting relationships among heterosexual couples, including "Lasting Marriages: Men and Women Growing Together" (Praeger, 1995). Compared to marriages, relatively little research has been done on the development of same sex relationships. This book will be of great interest to all researchers and students of gender differences, marriage and family therapy, human sexuality, and interpersonal relationships.

Based on in-depth interviews by skilled clinicians with husbands and wives who have been married more than 20 years, Mackey and O'Brien explore how spouses adapt to each other from the early years of marriage, through the parenting years, and into the post-parenting or empty-nest years. Purposively selected for inclusion were spouses representing religious, ethnic, racial, and educational diversity. Given increased life expectancies, couples who stay together will remain together for longer periods of time. As longevity extends into the seventies, eighties, and beyond, it is critical to identify the significant dynamics which contribute to satisfaction among couples in stable marriages. This book responds to this need.

Each chapter focuses on an important theme in these long-term marital relationships. Mackey and O'Brien first explore the beginnings of the relationships and the recollections of how respondents were attracted initially. The next chapters focus on dimensions of marriage as they evolve over time. Collective themes emerging from the interviews are explored in relationship to gender, ethnicity, religion, and education. In view of increased life expectancies, couples who stay together will remain together for longer periods of time. As longevity extends into the seventies, eighties, and beyond, it is critical to identify the significant dynamics which contribute to satisfaction among couples in stable marriages. This book responds to this need among sociologists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family counselors, and general adult readers interested in gender, cultural differences, and interpersonal relationships.