The Intertwining of Money and Love in Couple Relationships

Abstract

This chapter examines the role of money in intimate relationships, more specifically, with the role of money in the interactive construction of the couple and of the individuals within it. In analysing the role of money in eight Spanish couples a common feature emerges: the commonality of household money. It is not only that the money and resources are pooled, but that they are considered and treated as ‘family money’. In the first instance, for the couples all household income becomes our money. It is not my money, nor yours. For most of the couples interviewed the household money is kept in common, is mutually owned and used.

Love is blind, which results in those who are hit by it being unaware of the way their capital resources are being managed. It also hinders any attempt to assess the effects of marriage since, whenever love is taken into consideration, it seems to represent, and be the equivalent of, the sum total of the individual’s wealth (…) If the factor love is introduced into the analysis the accounts miraculously balance, thanks to the emotional profit. (Singly 1996: 21).