Tuesday, June 10, 2008

NY TIMES story that gay couples argue like straights

The New York Times has an article in today's paper ("Gay Unions Shed Light on Gender in Marriage") which says that next week's impending commencement of same-sex marriages in California provides researchers with an excellent opportunity to study gender differences in long-term relationships. In fact, there has already been some research in this area, which the article summarizes:
A growing body of evidence shows that same-sex couples have a great deal to teach everyone else about marriage and relationships. Most studies show surprisingly few differences between committed gay couples and committed straight couples, but the differences that do emerge have shed light on the kinds of conflicts that can endanger heterosexual relationships.

[...]

One well-known study used mathematical modeling to decipher the interactions between committed gay couples. The results, published in two 2003 articles in The Journal of Homosexuality, showed that when same-sex couples argued, they tended to fight more fairly than heterosexual couples, making fewer verbal attacks and more of an effort to defuse the confrontation.

Controlling and hostile emotional tactics, like belligerence and domineering, were less common among gay couples.

Same-sex couples were also less likely to develop an elevated heartbeat and adrenaline surges during arguments. And straight couples were more likely to stay physically agitated after a conflict.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The psychological elements are the ones I find most interesting.

John McCain is studying as fast as he can.

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