Sex and Security

Abstract

As discussed in Chapter 3, young formalised same-sex relationships need to be understood within the context of the enduring privileging of the couple as an adult relational ideal. Also, as noted in Chapter 2, partners viewed stability as central to a ‘good’ and fulfilling relationship or marriage. In this chapter we consider how the privileging of the couple as the focus for stability promoted commitments to sexual monogamy. In contrast to findings about previous generations of same-sex relationships, the majority of our young couples were sexually monogamous. In modelling their relationships on the ordinary, most couples assumed that their relationships would be monogamous from the moment of commitment.