Same sex couples have healthier relationships

[eridani]

Probably a communication thing. Communicating is required for same sex couples and optional for opposite sex couples. Probably if you controlled for communication skills you wouldn't see a difference.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Health/2008/01/14/gay_couples_an_example_to_straight_couples/6883/

Studies of lesbian and gay couples reveal some key factors that may promote healthier relationships in straight couples, a U.S. psychologist says.

Psychologist and researcher Robert-Jay Green of the Rockway Institute and of Alliant International University in San Diego says the studies of lesbian and gay couples found that the homosexual couples had flexibility about gender roles and an equal division of parenting and household tasks.

In a series of studies Green conducted with Michael Bettinger and Ellis Zacks, lesbian couples were found to be emotionally closer than gay male couples who, in turn, were found to be emotionally closer than heterosexual married couples.

"It all comes down to greater equality in the relationship," Green said in a statement. "Research shows that lesbian and gay couples have a head start in escaping the traditional gender role divisions that make for power imbalances and dissatisfaction in many heterosexual relationships."

Heterosexual couples could learn from gays couples about sharing housework and childcare, using softer communication in conflict and having more nurturing behaviors toward one another and their children, the researchers conclude.

[Why Syzygy]

1. This is something

that I've just sensed through contact with different couples. However, the first lesbian couple I knew, in the late 70's) fought an awful lot. Physically. I've never seen that kind of situation since.

I believe that glbt are born with their preferences. Do others also believe that it can be acquired? Is that what happens when someone "doesn't know they are gay"?

[and-justice-for-all]

2. Me and my partner of 13 years...

do not fight. We did some in the early days, but not for 10 years or so. Marriage is not sacred, its meaning only goes as far and deep as the 2 people that are getting married.

[cloudythescribbler]

3. Oh come on -- "study" aside, SOME straight relationships and SOME gay relationships work well ...

while others (like my parents) are a disaster. The notion that one kind is "healthier" is merely taking the standard orthodoxy and putting it on its head, rather than formulating a new and valid paradigm.

To be intellectual and snooty, it is a matter of merely "negation" rather than "cancellation" (antithesis rather than new synthesis) in "dialectical" sorts of thinking.

[pnwmom]

4. I agree with you. I've observed plenty of both types of partnerships,

and I say it all depends on the individuals involved.

If gay relationships were that much better, you'd think there would be more long term stability than with straight relationships, but statistics don't bear that out.

[eridani]

5. This is statistics. Same sex relationships can't happen without communication

--because there are no social norms of how those relationships are supposed to be. Heterosexuals have the option of forgoing communication in favor of playing assigned rolesa. Of course lots of them opt for communication instead. As I said, hold that factor constant and there wouldn't be any differences.

The usual assortment of problems related to long term inrimacy happen in any relationship, of course.

[DarkTirade]

8. Yeah, when it comes down to individuals

the 'big picture' and 'statistical trends' don't really mean a whole lot.

Although come to think of it... in my family the only people who have gotten divorced are straight... whereas my great-uncle was with his partner for 20+ years until his partner died from cancer (unfortunately just a few years before they would have been allowed to get married in their home state. :( ). And when he finally found someone else, they've been together since... what, 2001 or 2002? :)

[moose65]

6. I kinda agree....

I know that there are exceptions to everything, but studies like this look at overall trends and "averages" tend to blunt individual deviations. My take on it is that in gay and lesbian relationships, the two parties start out on a more equal footing than many straight couples. I've seen too many straight relationships where the man totally dominates the woman, and the woman ends up raising all the kids as well as doing all the housework. In Gay-Land we don't have those hangups about traditional roles. I've been with my partner for over 4 years, and we don't fight. We have the occasional disagreement, of course, but never a knock-down-drag-out fight like I've seen between my sister and her husband!

[hulklogan]

7. I'm always pleased when any study supports queer families

We should be embracing the results of this study, not finding ways to parrot the anti-gay propaganda that GLBT Americans can't ever have lasting relationships because we're promiscuous psychopathic flakes.

[cboy4]

9. Let's not get too carried away.

LOL

[mitchtv]

10. Fighting doesn't mean unhealthy

I've been fighting with Partner for 30 yrs. but don't go to bed angry