In this essay I will compare and contrast the relationship of two couples with whom I and my husband are friends. I will provide a brief description of each couple’s relationship; their perceptions and illusions regarding their partners. I will tend apply Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love to each couple and their position on the triangle. I will identify the attachment style and levels of emotional support that I believe fits each couple and their level of marital satisfaction. I will conclude by offering my opinion on whether each couple will progress to more or less satisfaction and whether or not they will remain together.
The first of the two couples I have chosen to compare and contrast is Belinda and Bruce, who have been together for four years, and the second couple, Lewis and Marge, have been together for 38 years. I would like to point out that although Lewis and Marge have been together for 30 years does not guarantee that they will stay together “until we are parted by death”. (The Book of Common Prayer, 1979) As stated in our text book, some couples” get divorced after 40 or 50 years of married life”. (Belsky, 2010, page 332). It should also be noted that although Belinda and Bruce have only been together for 4 years, both partners are in the 55 to 60 age group and this is a second marriage for each of them. Both couples are fairly financially secure and all 4 of these people would tell you that their partner is their soul mate. The years of raising children are over for both couples yet both couples are still helping one or more of their children financially which means each are helping a child that is not their own . So since the nest has been empty for some time, the stress of childrearing is still present. Whereas none of these four people have experienced unemployment during this current economic recession, all are wondering if they can retire. Thus the u-shaped cure of marital in which “satisfaction is highest at the...