Love Lives at a Distance: Distance Relationships over the Lifecourse

Distance relationships may be increasingly undertaken by dual-career couples atsome point in their life course. Although this can make it difficult toquantitatively measure the extent of distance relating, qualitative analysis ofdistance relationships promises to give considerable insight into the changingnature of intimate lives across the life course. This paper indicates the kindof insights offered via analysis of exploratory research into distance relatingin Britain. What begins to emerge is a picture of distance relating as offeringcertain possibilities in relation to the gendered organisation of emotionallabour and of care in conjunction with the pursuit, especially of professional,careers. These possibilities might be more realistic, however, at certain pointsin the life course. Nevertheless, this new form of periods of separation betweenpartners, tell us a considerable amount about how people approach the challengesof maintaining a satisfying and egalitarian intimate life, involving caringrelationships with others, within contemporary social conditions.