1st Edition

Personal Relationships Across Cultures

By Robin Goodwin Copyright 1999

    Is falling in love the same the world over?
    What makes a 'happy marriage' in different cultures?
    How does our society influence us in the way we raise our children?
    Is modern life incompatible with intimacy?
    In this innovative new text, Robin Goodwin challenges many of the established views on relationships by considering how different cultures view different relationships (love, marriage, friendship, the family, sexual relations). By discussing fundamental differences in values between cultures, alongside other key influences such as social class and education, he explores why these differences occur, and how different political and historical events have challenged existing patterns of relationships. Finally, drawing on research from all parts of the world, he considers how we can use this knowledge to help different communities across the globe cope with their most pressing relational challenges.
    Dr Robin Goodwin is Reader in Psychology in the Department of Human Sciences at Brunel University, London. He publishes widely on relationships and culture, and lectures about his work across the world.

    Introduction: Studying Personal Relationships. The Development of Research into Personal Relationships Across Cultures. Relationships in a Cultural Setting. Relationship Formation. The Developing Relationships. Sexual Attitudes and Behaviour. Family Relations Across Cultures. Relationships at Work. Friendship and the Broader Social Network. Taking it Further: Implications and and Future Developments. Bibliography. Index.

    Biography

    Robin Goodwin