Sex, Love and Security in LAT relationships

Check out Dr. Julia Carter’s new article about notions of commitment in LAT relationships. It has just been published in the journal Sociology and is up online first here

Here’s the abstract:

“Drawing on a 2011 national survey and 50 semi-structured interviews, we explore the differing ways in which those in living apart together (LAT) relationships discuss and experience notions of commitment. We found that sexual exclusivity in LAT relationships is expected by the large majority, regardless of their reasons for living apart. The majority of the interviewees also expressed a high degree of commitment to their partner in terms of love, care and intimacy, alongside an appreciation of the increased freedom and autonomy that living apart has to offer. Respondents were divided into four groups according to their perceived commitment: 1. Autonomous commitment, 2. Contingent commitment, 3. Ambivalent commitment, and 4. Limited commitment. Despite differing degrees of commitment, however, the overall finding was that the importance of relating and making relational decisions was central, even in the lives of those living in such unconventional relationship styles.”

Women’s agency in LAT relationships

Dr. Julia Carter’s research on ‘living-apart together’ relationships explores the significance of a growing form of coupledom in British society. LAT relationships are under-represented in British society, both in social surveys and family policies, as well as main stream consciousness. In this interview with The Sociological Review, Julia’s colleague Professor Simon Duncan – who led the research project on LAT relationships – talks about the gendered dimension of LAT, emphasising the varied forms women’s agency takes in LAT relationships. The interview can be found here

If you are interested in reading Professor Duncan’s article on ‘Women’s Agency in Living Apart Together’ it may be found here.