pure relationship

• what does Giddens say holds a relationship together?


  individual choice & equality
• key feature 


  -it exists solely to satisfy each partner's needs

  -as a result it's likely to survive as long as both partners think it's in their own interest to do so
• individuals free to choose to enter & leave relationships as they see fit
• more choice = less stab;e
• 'rolling contract'


  -can be ended at will by either partner

  -not a permanent commitment anymore

  -produces greater family diversity by creating more lone parent families, one person households, stepfamilies...