Identity and Stability within the Marriage Relationship

In the interaction between participants in an intimate relationship two important types ofactivities may be carried out. It is suggested that it is often in intimate relationships that people seek to develop and maintain both a sense of personal identity and a sense of stability. By outlining some of the major conditions required for the carrying out qf these two activities it is shown that they are in potential conflict. This conflict can be avoided or resolved in a variety of ways. From interviews conducted within a small sample of young people, evidence was gained to support these hypotheses.