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from the they-should-be-as-unhappy-as-the-rest-of-us dept.
Submitted via IRC for AndyTheAbsurd
Despite the many challenges faced by people in a same-sex relationship, a study made by two students of the University of Queensland concluded that this kind of relationship is happier compared to the normal relationship we know as male to female bond.
Researchers Francisco Perales and Janeen Baxter said that the conclusion of their study is a strong counter-narrative to the usual thinking that same-sex relationships are conflictual, unhappy, and dysfunctional.
The conclusion of the study, which was published in the academic journal Family Relations, was derived after the researchers surveyed 25,000 people in the United Kingdom and 9,000 others in Australia.
Also at Francisco Perales, Janeen Baxter. Sexual Identity and Relationship Quality in Australia and the United Kingdom. Family Relations, 2017; DOI: 10.1111/fare.12293
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 26 2017, @11:38PM
With straight marriages there have also been a historical expectation. Whether to get married in spite of affection for the person, or to rush said marriage and get to having kids so your parents could have grandchildren. Take either or both of those out of the equation and there is a lot more room for happiness without as much relationship conflict.
Another difference is sexual expectations. Since homosexual relationships have been predominantly taboo, including marriage, there was less of a burden to talk about your sexual interests before tying the knot, which probably helped with the whole 'open communication' thing and ensuring you were both on the same page as far as what you were expecting, whether an 'open relationship' with partners outside of the marriage, or sexual interests your partner may or may not like. This is often overlooked in regards to straight relationships as well, many partners turning out to be asexual, vanilla, religiously constrained in their sexual activities, etc.
All of these can cause the sorts of maritial issues which would cause heterosexual couples to seem less happy than homosexual couples, while ignoring the fact that the same issues are likely to occur in homosexual couples in the future if society doesn't work on making open communication between partners more of a cultural feature. Being able to trust your partner is important, as is your complete relationship chemistry (or at least the openness to allow them to explore interests you don't have without you.) If your chemistry is wrong you are better off waiting to find someone else than entering into a half assed marriage which will cause the unhappiness noted above.
The financial aspect is just the topping on the cake.