Characteristics of Romantic RelationshipsPREPARED BY INGE SALSABILA SURYAMAN1161003143

Romantic Relationships and Exclusivity

one common expectation for romantic relationships is that they are exclusive. Usually exclusivity takes the form of monogamy, which means being in only one romantic relationship at a time and avoiding romantic or sexual involvement with others outside that relationships.

Romantic Relationships and Voluntariness

another common expectation for romantic relationships is that they are voluntary, meaning that people choose for themselves whether to be romantically involved- and if they decide to, they get to select their romantic partner.

Romantic Relationships and Love

in much western world, people think of marriage and other romantic relationships as being based on love. in individualist societies such as the United States and Canada, that is, people tend to believe not only they should get to choose their romantic partner but that their choice should be based on love and attraction.

Romantic Relationships and Sexuality

people from romantic relationships with others whether they are heterosexual or homosexual. In many ways, people communicate similarly in same- and opposite sex romantic relationships. Both kinds of relationships value intimacy and equality between relational partners

Romantic Relationships Around the World

as we’ve seen, every common expectation also varies by culture, as we’ll discover next. Culture affects expectations for exclusivity although exclusivity is often expected for romantic relationships, culture affects expectations for voluntaries, culture affects expectations for love and culture affects expectations for sexuality.