Commitment within heterosexual relationships

Abstract

The current research focuses on the study of power and commitment within heterosexual relationships. The research reviews, compares and contrasts the theoretical perspectives of Nietzsche through the work of Kaufmann and Gordon and utilises a qualitative research method of Narrative Inquiry. These theoretical epistemological and methodological perspectives are used in conjunction with the method of semi-structured interviewing to identify thematic phenomenological descriptions of participants stories. The three discourses of Fear Discourse, Protective Discourse and Detached Discourse have been used in conjunction with the writings of Nietzsche concerning the Will to Power as thematic guidance discourses for this study. To reveal these discourses the research question- How does an individual's styles or themes of commitment change within and between three of their previous heterosexual relationships - was examined. The research found that commitment is understood as another name for responsibility, males are most often understood as behaving with a lack of responsibility, females in overly responsible ways. The research concluded that the production of a balanced responsible sharing approach achieved through creativity is the most desirable to accomplish self-overcoming independence and freedom within all situations

Date of Award	2005
Original language	English