Love and Sex: Cross-Cultural Perspectives

Preface. 1. The Many Paths to Love. Beyond Narrow Boundaries. Definitions. Passionate Love Sexual Desire Companionate Love Anthropological and Evolutionary Perspectives. Psychological Perspectives. Historical Perspectives. Cross-Cultural Perspectives. From the West From the East From Our Perspective The Future: Conclusions. 2. The Romantic, Sexual, and Marital Ideal. Introduction. What People Desire in Romantic, Sexual, and Marital Partners. Cultural Universals in What is Desired Cultural Differences in What is Desired Gender Differences in What is Desired Who Decides? From Arranged Marriages to Marriage for Love. Arranged Marriages Compromising on Love Love Marriages More Love Marriages on the Way? How do Arranged and Love Marriages Work Out? The Debate The Data Conclusions: From Front Porch to Back Seat. 3. Falling in Love. Introduction. What Is This Thing Called Love and How Can We Measure It? Assessing Passionate Love Assessing Companionate Love Other Typologies Culture and Passionate Love. Passion: Is Something Lost in Translation? The Susceptibility to Love The Intensity of Love Love Schemas and Passionate Love. Habits of the Heart Theoretical Background The Evidence Conclusions: The Spread of Passion. 4. Sex: Then and There. Introduction. Evolutionary Perspectives. General Critiques Sociobiological Critiques Historical Perspectives. The East: China The West: America and England Cross-Cultural Perspectives. Conclusions. 5. Sex: Now and Everywhere. Introduction. The Meaning of Sex. The Developmental Sequence. Sexual Orientation. Homosexuality. Attitudes Toward Homosexuality Homosexual Activity Premarital Sex. Attitudes Toward Premarital Sex Premarital Sexual Activity Marital Sex. Attitudes Toward Marital Sex Marital Sexual Activity Extramarital Sex. Attitudes Toward Extramarital Sex Extramarital Sexual Activity Conclusions. 6. Passion--For Better or Worse. Introduction. The Ecstasy of Passionate Love. Moments of Exultation A Sense of Union Feeling Safe and Secure: Commitment Feeling Understood and Accepted: Intimacy Sexual Excitement Love and the Immune System The Agony of Passionate Love. Anxiety and Fear Unrequited Love Jealousy Dating and Marital Violence The Cross-Magnification Process. Love Schemas and the Highs and Lows of Love. Love Schemas and the Delights of Love Love Schemas and the Pain of Love Conclusions. 7. Breaking Up and Starting Over. Introduction: The Decline and Fall of Passionate Love. Passionate Love in Other Cultures The End of the Affair. Breaking Up Divorce Death Explaining Breakups or Divorce. Who Had Control? "His" and "Her" Breakup: What Were the Reasons for the Breakup? The Emotional Aftermath of Breakups and Divorce. Guilt Sadness and Depression Anger and Bitterness Loneliness Falling Ill Love Schemas and Reactions to Loss. Dealing with Loss. Gender Differences in Dealing with Loss Cultural Differences in Dealing with Loss Starting Over: Dating and Remarriage. Gender Differences in Remarriage How Happy Are Second Marriages? Conclusions. From Male Supremacy to Gender Equality Pursuit of Happiness and the Avoidance of Pain A Belief That Things Can Change for the Better Coda: The Demise of Passionate Love and Marriage?