326 Chapter 9■ There are different ways of conceptualizing egali-
tarianism: joint participation or separate but equal
participation. The latter may not be a truly egalitarian
philosophy.
■ Social exchange theory predicts relationship satisfaction
for heterosexuals and gay men but is less applicable to
lesbian relationships.
■ Women’s relationship satisfaction is more affected by
characteristics of their partner than is men’s relationship
satisfaction.
■ Homosexual relationships are not inferior in quality to
heterosexual relationships.
■ The same variables that predict relationship satisfaction
among heterosexuals predict relationship satisfaction
among homosexuals. In terms of commitment, homo-
sexuals face fewer barriers to leaving a relationship
than heterosexuals.Conflict
Popular books suggest that men and women
experience a good deal of conflict. The title of
Lillian Rubin’s (1983) popular bookIntimate
Strangersimplies that men and women face
considerable conflict. In my opinion, this
book and others exaggerate the difference be-
tween women and men as well as their poten-
tial for conflict. However, women and men
may approach conflict in different ways.Conflict Management
When conflict arises, how do men and
women handle it? A meta-analysis on conflict
resolution strategies in business showed that
women are more likely than men to compro-
mise across most cultures (Holt & DeVore,
2005). Men are more likely than women to
use a forceful style, which means being goal
oriented rather than concerned with the effect(Kurdek, 2008a). Note that at the end of the
10 years, relationship satisfaction was high-
est among lesbians and gay men. Thus the sex
difference in marital satisfaction among het-
erosexuals (male more than female) pertains
more to the nature of heterosexual male-female
relationships than to sex (i.e., being male or
female).
In general, the same kinds of variables
that are associated with relationship satis-
faction among heterosexuals also are as-
sociated with relationship satisfaction and
commitment among homosexuals (Herek,
2006; Kurdek, 2006; Kurdek, 2008b). Com-
mitment to a relationship is typically a func-
tion of the positive forces that attract one to
a relationship and the barriers to leaving a
relationship. This commitment process func-
tions the same among heterosexuals and ho-
mosexuals although homosexuals face fewer
barriers to relationship dissolution than het-
erosexuals. Homosexual marriage is typically
not recognized by the law, and homosexuals
are less likely to have children. Although ho-
mosexuals are less likely to have family sup-
port to maintain the relationship, they are
more likely to have friend support (Herek,
2006). Overall, homosexuals face fewer barri-
ers to leaving a relationship.TAKE HOME POINTS
■ Women engage in more relationship maintenance than
do men.
■ Women’s maintenance behaviors are more strongly re-
lated to relationship outcomes than men’s maintenance
behaviors.
■ One factor that influences relationship satisfaction is
the power balance of the relationship. In general, more
egalitarian relationships are associated with relationship
satisfaction for both women and men.M09_HELG0185_04_SE_C09.indd 326 6/21/11 12:40 PM