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Differential Agency: Living Apart Together

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Reinventing Couples

Part of the book series: Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Family and Intimate Life ((PSFL))

Abstract

This chapter explores different expressions and enactments of agency through the lens of living apart together (LAT) relationships. LAT relationships draw on traditional patterns of coupledom within a new family or relationship arrangement. The chapter emphasises the differing levels and degrees of agency that enable LAT relationships in a variety of different circumstances with varying preferences, constraints, and obligations on couples. Agencies are relational with others, bonded with partners, sometimes reduced to patiency, and often emotionally derived from feelings of fear or vulnerability.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    First ‘discovery’ is usually attributed to Levin and Trost (1999), although there is an earlier literature on ‘commuter marriage’ while Gorer (1971) described ‘special girlfriends and boyfriends’, see Chapter 2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Politics and Sociology, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK

    Julia Carter

  2. Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK

    Simon Duncan

Authors
  1. Julia Carter
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  2. Simon Duncan
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Carter, J., Duncan, S. (2018). Differential Agency: Living Apart Together. In: Reinventing Couples. Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Family and Intimate Life. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58961-3_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58961-3_6

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-58960-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-58961-3

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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