Where are the men? : low-income women's experience of heterosexual relationships

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The purpose of this paper was to review the available literature concerning how low-income womenexperience their heterosexual relationships. Particular attention was paid to the constructs of social supportand intimacy which have both been cited as important variables for coping with stress. It was found that,despite there being more stressors associated with poverty, very little research has been conducted on lowincomewomen. However, when comparing the available literature, there seem to be important differencesbetween low-income and middle-class women's expectations regarding heterosexual relationships. Theliterature suggests that for low-income women, heterosexual relationships can often be experienced as anadditional source of stress, particularly as traditional gender roles playa greater role in expectations regardingthe provision of social support. It therefore seems as though some low-income women, in a bid not to submit totraditional role expectations, choose to stay single and strive for financial independence in order to retainpower within heterosexual relationships. The need for intimacy was not clearly articulated by low-incomewomen but a desire for a sexually faithful partner was expressed. Although it seemed as though low-incomewomen did not expect social support or intimacy from their male partners, they did articulate other specificexpectations. The literature suggested that low-income women could reliably expect sex and the conception ofchildren. from their heterosexual relationships but that their other expectations were often disappointed.However, heterosexual relationships are considered an important means for low-income women to gain statuswithin the community. Finally, the current review of the literature highlighted the considerable overlap betweenthe constructs of social support and intimacy. In conclusion, further research needs to be conducted(particularly in South Africa) in order to determine how low-income women experience their heterosexualrelationships.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University