The major
Open University study which was published on Tuesday, found that gay couples
were more likely to be happy and positive about their relationships.
It also
found, however, that gay couples were less likely to be openly affectionate,
for fear of attracting disapproval or unwanted negative attention.
It said:
“Public/private boundaries of ‘couple display’ remain fraught. Many LGBQ
couples, especially the younger ones, say they would not hold hands in public
for fear of reprisal.”
The study was
aimed at finding out ways in which couples manage to stay happy through tough
times.
“LGBQ
participants are more generally positive about and happier with the quality of
their relationship and the relationship which they have with their partner”
read the study.
“Heterosexual
parents are the group least likely to be there for each other, to make ‘couple
time’, to pursue shared interests, to say ‘I love you’ and to talk openly to
one another.”
Simple shows
of affection such as making tea for their partner were more important to
couples as examples of intimacy than grand gestures like declaring “I love
you”.
Dr Jacqui
Gibb, co-author of the report, said: “Grand romantic gestures, although
appreciated, don’t nurture a relationship as much as bringing your partner a
cup of tea in bed or watching TV together.”
Couples
without children were also found to be on average happier than parents, and the
group least likely to feel satisfied with their partners was mothers who
were “significantly happier with life than any other group”.
The study was
funded by the Economic and Science Research Council, and concluded that it was
“hard to pin down” what is meant by love in relationships.
It surveyed
5,000 respondents, and 1% of those were brought back to give in-depth
interviews.
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