Abstract
A practices approach facilitates understanding of the meanings and experiences of long-term relationships by situating lived lives in their spatio-temporal contexts. We reiterate the value of this approach and focus on three major findings from the Enduring Love? study. The first of these is the mundane nature of relationship work and the importance of time for understanding how such work is valued. The second is concerned with how couples afford particular meanings to love, and what these might reveal about loving and being loved in contemporary times. The third takes the home as its focus and illustrates its significance for the ways couples connect with each other. Throughout, we point to the significance of these findings for policy, practice and academic studies of personal lives.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Adams, B. (2004). Time. Cambridge and Malden, MA: Polity Press.
Adams, B. (2006). Time. Theory, Culture and Society, 23(2–3), 119–138.
Beck, U., & Beck-Gernsheim, E. (1995). The Normal Chaos of Love. Cambridge: Polity Press.
CSJ. (2014). Family Breakdown. Retrieved 31 August 2014, from http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/policy/pathways-to-poverty/family-breakdown
Daly, K. J. (2003). Family Theory versus the Theories Families Live by. Journal of Marriage and Family, 65(4), 771–784.
Evans, M. (2002). Love: An Unromantic Discussion. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Field, N. (1995). Over the Rainbow: Money, Class and Homophobia. London: Pluto Press.
Giddens, A. (1991). Modernity and Self-Identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern Age. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Morgan, D. H. J. (2011). Rethinking Family Practices. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gabb, J., Fink, J. (2018). Conclusion. In: Couple Relationships in the 21st Century. Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Family and Intimate Life. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59698-3_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59698-3_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-59697-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-59698-3
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)