Abstract

RODRIGUEZ-DEL TORO, Vivian  and  MARIWILDA, Padilla-Díaz. Gender equality practices in a group of heterosexual couples in Puerto Rico. Interam. j. psychol. [online]. 2009, vol.43, n.1, pp. 84-90. ISSN 0034-9690.

Changes in traditional gender roles have promoted new ideologies that mark different practices in the domestic realm among couples. Equality plays an important part in couples' relationships. The present article result from a research which studied the experiences, practices and meanings attributed to gender equality among heterosexual couples in Puerto Rico. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with each member of 10 couples. Findings revealed that couples are in a transition stage towards equality, and have actually undergone the process we called "social construction of gender equality". This process represents a new vision in a living together context. The personal meanings reported as a result of this social construction process suggested that equality is a multidimensional concept far distant from traditional definitions. Equality seems to engender a liberating practice that requires education, effort, responsibility, sense of fairness, emotional stability, and role balance among partners in the relationship.

Keywords : Gender roles; Equality; Couples.

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