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Love preferences and ideals: A comparison of homosexual, bisexual, and heterosexual groups

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Abstract

Homosexuals, bisexuals, and heterosexuals were compared on self-reported love preferences and ideals. In general, the three groups tended to agree on ideal characteristics of love objects, love relationships, and love related beliefs. Nevertheless, the groups differed significantly on preferences and beliefs related to love-object sex, residential proximity, ethnic background, physical intimacy, freedom from feelings of jealousy, sexual fidelity, emotional intimacy, and the importance of religious or legal acknowledgment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Resources, University of Hawaii, 96822, Honolulu, HI

    John W. Engel PhD (President of the Hawaii Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and Associate Professor of Family Studies)

  2. Kansas State University, 66506, Manhattan, KS

    Marie Saracino MS (lecturer in the Department of Family and Child Development)

Authors
  1. John W. Engel PhD
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  2. Marie Saracino MS
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Engel, J.W., Saracino, M. Love preferences and ideals: A comparison of homosexual, bisexual, and heterosexual groups. Contemp Fam Ther 8, 241–250 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00902949

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