Over the course of the last few decades, the nature of close personal relationships has evolved dramatically. More and more people choose to marry in their 30s and 40s, meaning that an unprecedented number of people start families later in life than ever. Around the world, more cultures are embracing nontraditional lifestyles, ranging from cohabitation prior to marriage to polyamory. Many regions have grown more accepting of diverse gender and sexual orientations, and as a result, the image of what a family is, who has one, and at what age it is acceptable to start one all look very different from previous generations. Even our friendships have evolved, with technology bridging physical and interpersonal distances in previously impossible ways.
This volume compiles the latest research and theory on close relationships in the twenty-first century from multi-disciplinary and international perspectives with the intent of taking stock of the cultural, political, and legal changes that have shaped the relationship landscape. Some of the important shifts that are captured are the rise of singlehood, online dating, and cohabitation, the new importance of social media, marriage equality, and changes in gender norms. New ways of forming families and unions via adoption, assisted reproduction, and remarriage are also covered, as well as coupling across cultural, racial, religious, and national lines.
Knitting together a diverse pool of international expertise, this book synthesizes a truly modern take on close personal relationships in the twenty-first century.
Foreword
Elaine Hatfield and Richard L. Rapson
Introduction: Modern Relationships of the 21st Century
Mahzad Hojjat and Anne Moyer
I. Dating in the 21st Century
1. Ideal Partner Characteristics in the 21st Century: What Are We Looking For?
Claudia C. Brumbaugh and Jaclyn K. Doherty
2. Online or In-Person: How Do We Find Our Ideal Partner?
Kathryn Coduto
3. Cohabitation vs. Marriage: Understanding Young Adults' Preference for Cohabitation in the 21st Century
Sharon Sassler
4. Being Single in the 21st Century: Reasons and Consequences
Elyakim Kislev
II. Marriage in the 21st Century
5. Modern Marital Satisfaction: Are We Expecting Too Much?
Daniel Perlman and Rowland S. Miller
6. Equity and Gender Roles in Marriage: Are We Finally Equal?
Grace M. Wetzel and Diana T. Sanchez
7. What is a Marriage?: The Rise of More Diverse Unions
Rhonda N. Balzarini, Karen L. Blair, and Marissa Walter
8. Marriage and Culture Around the World: Marrying Someone from a Different Race, Religion, or Nationality
Stanly O. Gaines, Jr.
9. Conscious Uncoupling: Divorce in the 21st Century
Abdullah S. Salehuddin, Tamara D. Afifi, and Jade Salmon
III. Gender and Sexuality in the 21st Century
10. Sexuality in the 21st Century: A Feminist and Queer Theoretical Perspective on Sex and Sexuality in Emerging Adulthood
Jasna Jovanovic and Jean Calterone Williams
11. Who Do We Love?: Shifts in Attitudes about Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Same-Sex Relationships
Karen L. Blair, Erin L. Courtice, and Rhea Ashley Hoskin
IV. Friendship in the 21st Century
12. Modern Friendships: Mixing Multiple Media and Affordances when Communicating with Friends
Kelly Sweeney, Daniel A. Lee, and Andrew High
13. The New and Significant Role of Friendship in the 21st Century
Emily T. Beauparlant, Mahzad Hojjat, Nicole Melancon, and Laura V. Machia
14. Friendship in the Time of COVID-19
Mahzad Hojjat, Anne Moyer, Sydney Brake, Brady D. Nelson, Lauren L. Richmond, Jessica L. Schleider, and
Bonita London
15. Diverse Friendships: Formation, Maintenance, and Benefits
J. Nicole Shelton, Kate M. Turetsky, Yeji Park, and Lindsey Eikenburg
V. Families in the 21st Century
16. Adoption and Relationships in the 21st Century
Ellen E. Pinderhughes, Seungmi M. Lee, and Madeline C. Smith
17. Communication and Resilience in Stepfamilies: Talking Close Relationships with Parents, Siblings, and Family Members into Being
Dawn O. Braithwaite and Bailey M. Oliver-Blackburn
18. Technology-Assisted Parenthood and Modern Families in the 21st Century
Sofia Gameiro
VI. Current Trends in Health and Close Relationships in the 21st Century
19. Relationships and Health
Anne Moyer, K. Olivia Mock, and Rose Martillotti
20. Close Relationships and Mental Health
Charlotte R. Esplin, S. Gabe Hatch, and Scott R. Braithwaite
Conclusion /Epilogue
Art Aron
Height:157
Width:229
Spine:43
Weight:1.00