Rituals in Unmarried Couple Relationships: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

This study provides an understanding of rituals enacted in unmarried couple relationships. One hundred and twenty‐nine individuals involved in unmarried relationships reported on their rituals in an online, open‐ended questionnaire. A typology of 16 ritual types was developed. Twelve of the rituals have been shown to be common in marital relationships. Four new ritual categories, unique to unmarried relationships, emerged from the data. The new categories were gift‐giving, helping each other/being supportive, future planning/daydreaming about the future, and family involvement. Implications for future research on couple rituals are suggested.

Destination marriage? The diagnostic role of rituals in dating relationships

“…Future directions. Whereas previous literature on rituals has noted the presence of celebration rituals for daters and married individuals, these rituals are reported to be the most infrequent of all rituals enacted together (Bruess & Pearson, 1997;Campbell et al, 2011). Although celebration rituals have an inherently limited nature to them (e.g.…”

“…In addition, relational identities are erected through the use of symbolic practices such as rituals (Baxter, 1990). More specifically, marital identity (Braithwaite & Baxter, 1995;Crespo et al, 2008) and couple identity for daters (Campbell et al, 2011) are fortified by the enactment of rituals. In other words, rituals contribute to how individuals see themselves and their partner.…”

“…For example, Bruess and Pearson (1997) qualitatively assessed friends and married individuals, resulting in new typologies for each relationship stage. Whereas the marital typology developed by Bruess and Pearson (1997) has been adapted to dating relationships to examine commitment (Campbell & Ponzetti Jr., 2007), some have argued that this adaptation is not sufficient in fully explicating the nuanced experience of daters, which has resulted in studies exploring rituals in dating couples (Campbell et al, 2011; Pearson et al, 2010). These rituals include the foundational categories contained in Wolin and Bennett’s (1984) typology along with categories such as future planning rituals that are specific to those who are dating (Campbell et al, 2011).…”

“…Whereas the marital typology developed by Bruess and Pearson (1997) has been adapted to dating relationships to examine commitment (Campbell & Ponzetti Jr., 2007), some have argued that this adaptation is not sufficient in fully explicating the nuanced experience of daters, which has resulted in studies exploring rituals in dating couples (Campbell et al, 2011; Pearson et al, 2010). These rituals include the foundational categories contained in Wolin and Bennett’s (1984) typology along with categories such as future planning rituals that are specific to those who are dating (Campbell et al, 2011). Campbell and colleagues’ (2011) newly identified future planning rituals demonstrate that along with research on commitment and uncertainty, future orientation is a salient characteristic to daters.…”

“…These rituals include the foundational categories contained in Wolin and Bennett’s (1984) typology along with categories such as future planning rituals that are specific to those who are dating (Campbell et al, 2011). Campbell and colleagues’ (2011) newly identified future planning rituals demonstrate that along with research on commitment and uncertainty, future orientation is a salient characteristic to daters. Daters are cognizant of how rituals such as holidays may impact their relationship.…”