Living Apart Together Relationships Flashcards
What Are They?
Levin - long term committed intimate relationships, defined as a couple, seen as by others, but don’t share a common home ‘apartners’
Rising number of LATs
Reasons for Increase
Divorce + Separation
As divorce rates increase LAT relationships increasingly common + socially acceptable response to fall out from previous relationships
Reasons for Increase
Individualisation
Growing choice, people live longer lives, more likely to seek out new partners
Reasons for Increase
Labour Market
Easier for partners to find or retain existing jobs and incomes if not geographically bound
Reasons for Increase
Modern Technology
Video calls, mobiles, email, and easier travel
It is easier to maintain close contact, people form virtual relationships, become long distance LATs
LATs Over Marriage/Cohabitation
Responsibilty and Care
Couples have existing responsibilities for other people - children living at home, elderly parents. Don’t want new relationships to threaten existing ones
LATs Over Marriage/Cohabitation
Practical Reasons
Partners may work or study in different places. LATs avoid conflicts for them in terms of finding jobs, costs of housing, welfare benefits
Older people may fear loss of memories associated with homes
LATs Over Marriage/Cohabitation
Risk
People don’t want to repeat the same mistakes, seek to avoid re-creating conditions leading to dissolution of former marriages/cohabitations
Funk and Kobayashi
In mid to later life couples LATs protect independence, space, routines, habits and descision making, and identity
Enable partners to pursue hobbies + interests without risk or sacrifice
Giddens
LATs conform to idea of a ‘pure relationship’ - unburdened by structural commitments, so continued for fulfilment of emotional needs
