47-5 A Study of Break-Up Adjustment in Taiwan Same-Sex Couples: A Life Course Perspective
In this study, the author examines how same-sex couples adjust when their relationship ends, and how the break-up experience varies according to different life stages and cohorts. Interviews were conducted with 32 gay men and 35 lesbians who had experienced a break-up of an intimate relationship. There were 21 participants from the age group of 20-29, 26 from the age group of 30-39, and 20 from the age group of 40-59 to represent different generation. It was found that the most commonly used adjustment strategies were displacement; seeking support from one's social network; self-empowerment; adopting the viewpoint of predestination; and choosing negative ways to adjust. In addition, the author used a life course perspective to examine break-up experiences at different life stages within a historical and cultural context. From this perspective, the author found that Chinese same-sex couples experience ＂hidden couple relationships,＂ ＂society transition and cohort differences,＂ and ＂personal life development stages.＂ According to different life experiences and social backgrounds, these participants from different cohorts experienced relationship break-ups differently. Due to the structural changes of society, age differences, life experiences, and personal emotional/cognitive changes, the different strategies used brought about new transformations and development in the life path.
Keywords
break-up adjustment ； life course ； gay lesbian ； same sex couple relationship
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