Personal Relationships Across CulturesIs falling in love the same the world over? What makes a 'happy marriage' in different cultures? How does our society influence us in the way we raise our children? Is modern life incompatible with intimacy? In this innovative new text, Robin Goodwin challenges many of the established views on relationships by considering how different cultures view different relationships (love, marriage, friendship, the family, sexual relations). By discussing fundamental differences in values between cultures, alongside other key influences such as social class and education, he explores why these differences occur, and how different political and historical events have challenged existing patterns of relationships. Finally, drawing on research from all parts of the world, he considers how we can use this knowledge to help different communities across the globe cope with their most pressing relational challenges. Dr Robin Goodwin is Reader in Psychology in the Department of Human Sciences at Brunel University, London. He publishes widely on relationships and culture, and lectures about his work across the world. |
Contents
The development of research into personal relationships | 6 |
Why we need a crosscultural approach | 12 |
Relationships in a cultural setting | 18 |
Relationship formation | 47 |
The developing relationship | 75 |
Sexual attitudes and behaviour | 94 |
Family relations across cultures | 111 |
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activity American analysis areas argues arranged attitudes attractiveness behaviour beliefs cent Chapter China Chinese choice close collectivist compared concept concerned consider considerable countries couples cross-cultural cultures desire dimensions discussed economic effects emotional et al ethnic evidence examined example exchange expected extended factors findings friends Goodwin greater highly Hofstede important increase individual individualist influence interaction involved Italy Japan Japanese Journal lead less living major male managers marital marriage married mate mean networks parents particular partner patterns personal relationships perspective political positive practices preferences Press problems Psychology questions rates reflecting relations relatively reported respondents result role romantic rules sample seen selection sexual significant similar social societies stress strong structure suggests theories tion traditional Triandis University values Western women York young