1. Intimate Relationships
Liz Ford, Froza Mercado, Kyra Alexander, D’Andre Miller, John Carr, Tyrone Jenkins

2. Developing a Relationship
Friendships (The first relationships we form outside of the family)
Include the following :
1. Companionship: Friends are usually happy and relaxed when they are around each other
2. Respect: show respect by being honest
3. Acceptance: They accept each other. They can be themselves without feeling criticized.
4. Help: Friends know they can rely on each other in times of need.
5. Trust: They feel safe confiding in each other
6. Loyalty: Friends stand up for each other
7. Mutuality: Friends share the ups and downs of each other’s lives.
8. Reciprocity: Give- and – take

3. Choosing a Partner Lives in the same geographic area
Is from similar ethnic and socioeconomic background
Has similar educational attainment
Lives a similar lifestyle
Is like them in terms of physical attractiveness

4. Communication The keys to good communication in relationships:
Self-disclosure
Listening
Feedback
Non Verbal- 65% communication is non verbal
-Ability to interpret non verbal messages
Understand differences in communication by gender: -Men try to establish dominance and listen less
-Women seek advice and pay attention to body language

5. Challenges in a Relationship
Unequal or Premature Commitment
Unrealistic Expectations
Competitiveness
Balancing time together and apart
Jealousy
Supportiveness

6. Unhealthy Relationships
Could be physically or mentally abusive
Lacks love and respect
Too much criticism, contempt, defensiveness and withdraw

7. Cohabitation
Cohabitation: Living together in a sexual relationship without being married.
Cohabiting couples have a 51% chance of marrying after 3 years together
Advantages:
Lowers the cost of living
Emotional support and sexual relations without the commitment of marriage
Tests your compatibility before agreeing to marriage

8. Traditional Marriage: Between Man and Woman
Heterosexual union, social or legal union between opposite sex couples
Heterosexual: Emotional and sexual attraction to people of the other sex

9. Characteristics of a happy Marriage:
Realistic expectations about the relationship
Good communication skills
Agree on religious/ethical values
Resolve conflicts effectively
Mutual trust
Equal roles
Balance of interests

10. The Benefits of Marriage
Affection
Personal affirmation
Companionship
Sexual Fulfillment
Emotional Growth
Can provide a setting to raise children

11. Same-Sex Relationships
Sexual Orientation: A consistent pattern of emotional and sexual attraction based on biological sex.
- It exists along a continuum that ranges from exclusive heterosexuality, bisexuality, to exclusive homosexuality.
Same-Sex Relationships

12. Bisexuality & Homosexuality
Bisexuality: emotional and sexual attraction of people of both sexes (male and female).
Homosexuality: emotional and sexual attraction to people of one’s own sex (male-male; female-female).
Similarities with heterosexual couples:
Same-sex partnerships provide intimacy, passion, and security.
Same-sex partnerships tend to be more equal and less organized around traditional gender roles:
-Greater emphasis on partnership than role assignment. -Domestic tasks are split.

13. LGBTQI
People with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities are often grouped together.
Lesbian: Female-Female
Gay: Male-Male
Bisexual: Female/Male
Transgendered: people who’s biological sex doesn’t match their gender identity
Questioning or Queer
Intersex: people born with ambiguous genitals

14. Controversy of Same-Sex Relationships
1. Societal hostility or ambivalence
Homophobia: fear or hatred of homosexuals
There can be violence, discrimination, or can be subtle.
2. Religious views also play a role in same-sex relationship controversy.
Politics- presidential support
3. Problems with family may arise when individual “comes out”
Family trouble with acceptance of same-sex relationship or same sex marriage.

15. Legalization of Gay Marriage
Marriage between the same sex
Proponents argue that same-sex couples should have access to the same marriage benefits and public acknowledgment enjoyed by heterosexual couples and that prohibiting gay marriage is unconstitutional discrimination.
Opponents argue that altering the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman will further weaken a threatened institution and that legalizing gay marriage is a slippery slope that may lead to polygamous and interspecies marriages.

16. States with Legalized Gay Marriage
 Massachusetts (May 17, 2004)
Connecticut (Nov. 12, 2008)
Iowa (Apr )
Vermont (Sep. 1, 2009)
New Hampshire (Jan. 1, 2010)
New York (June 24, 2011)
Washington (Dec. 9, 2012)
Maine (Dec. 29, 2012)
Maryland (Jan. 1, 2013)
California (June 28, 2013)
Delaware (July 1, 2013)
Rhode Island (Aug. 1, 2013)
Minnesota (Aug. 1, 2013)
New Jersey (Oct. 21, 2013)
Hawaii (Dec. 2, 2013)
Illinois (law will take effect June 1, 2014)

17. Common Law
A marriage existing by mutual agreement between a man and a woman, or by the fact of their cohabitation, without a civil or religious ceremony.

18. Divorce Rates

19. Divorce First Marriage: 45% to 50% marriages end in divorce
Second Marriage: 60% to 67% marriages end in divorce
Third Marriage: 70% to 73% marriages end in divorce
Couples With Children: 40%
Couples Without Children: 66%