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But why do i need an excuse?: Women's gendered experience of initiating a relationship breakup with a committed partner

Resource type
Thesis type
(Thesis) M.A.
Date created
2011-08-12
Authors/Contributors
Abstract
There is a lack of literature surrounding women’s experiences leaving romantic relationships. This study asks, “How do women experience the social and emotional consequences associated with their voluntary departure from a long-term, heterosexual romantic relationship?” Using a qualitative research methodology to allow for an in-depth exploration of their stories, nine women aged 20-29 were interviewed about their breakup experiences. A narrative analysis generated three themes: active defiance of the socially understood female role in a relationship; absence of a socially understood anti-relational script available to women; and healing and growth experienced as results of validation, meaning-making, and script-creation. These themes can be understood as functions of Social Role Theory—the idea that beliefs people hold about the sexes reflect and influence the sexual division of gender. Counselling implications include working through disenfranchised grief, managing anxiety, and facilitating methods of relational, intrapersonal, and observational validation.
Document
Identifier
etd6807
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author.
Permissions
The author granted permission for the file to be printed and for the text to be copied and pasted.
Scholarly level
Supervisor or Senior Supervisor
Thesis advisor: Keats, Patrice
Member of collection
Download file Size
etd6807_MBruneau.pdf 1.13 MB

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