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WASHINGTON -- New studies comparing straight and gay couples, as well as straight married couples are finding differences that shed light on the effects of gender roles and give hope for better adjusted relationships.
One study found that while same-sex and heterosexual couples reported similar levels of conflict, gay couples reported more relationship satisfaction. Researchers suggest that the inequality in heterosexual relationships may be taking a toll.

Heterosexual married women live with a lot of anger about having to do the tasks not only in the house but in the relationship, according to professor of women’s studies at San Diego State University, Esther D. Rothblum.

In heterosexual couples, gender roles tended to be more stratified, with men initiating sex and taking financial responsibility and women more likely to refuse sex, initiate discussion about the relationship, or do the housework. Same-sex couples tended to be much more egalitarian, with partners often sharing many of these responsibilities.

The tendencies for egalitarianism extended to arguments, with same-sex couples more likely to fight fairly, defuse tension with humor, avoid dominating one another, and recover from fights easily.

Heterosexual couples were less likely to fight fairly or avoid dominating one another, and many showed signs of significant emotional agitation during arguments that continued well afterwards.

The studies imply that much of the strife couples experience around housework, money and sex which we associate with males or females is learned rather than biological, and thus can be resolved.
http://www.gpac.org/about/news.html?...ws&msgnum=0718

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I was reading this article about same-sex couples and it was really bugging me. I think it's complete drivel. Oh and I'm gay myself so I don't want anyone thinking I'm homophobic.

First of all, the author just makes brief generalizations and keeps saying "The studies show..." but she doesn't even bother to specify WHO conducted these "studies" and doesn't mention any numbers.

What REALLY bothers me is the denial of problems that occur in LGBT communities. I used to work in a battered women's shelter which did have a few clients trying to escape their abusive female, yes, female partners. I think we need to address this issue in the LGBT community. I'm sick of domestic violence being swept under the rug just because it's not being perpetrated by a man.

What's up with the trend of stereotyping all gays and lesbians as egalitarian, open-minded, loving people? Yeah, it's a good stereotype but it's still a STEREOTYPE. Gays are human, just like everyone else. Some of us are wonderful people and some of us are horrible people. You can't paint everyone with one stereotype.