This document discusses different types of primary relationships and families. It notes that while traditionally most Americans married, rates of divorce are now around 50% and many choose not to marry. Contemporary relationships are more diverse and structured differently based on individuals' needs. Primary relationships can include marriage, domestic partnerships, or unmarried couples maintaining a relationship. Families extend beyond the primary relationship and can include children, in-laws, grandparents and other relatives through blood, law or choice. The structures of relationships and families are complex and evolving.

1. Interpersonal Communication
Dr. Marquita L. Byrd
Marquita.byrd@sjsu.edu

2. Primary Relationships

3.  Dying
 Traditional
 Americans like to marry
 50% get divorced
 50% of those get
remarried
 People who can support
families and more
educated continue to get
married
 Changing
 Contemporary or post-
modern
 Creating structures that
fit the needs of the
people involved
 Marriage is evolving to fit
new stresses and life
styles

4. People living in a married
or married like state
Married recognized by
state and or church
Married like, not
recognized by the state or
church but maintaining a
“marriage” in the
relationship sense
No, Californiadoes
not havecommon
law marriage

5. Primary
relationship
children
in-laws
grandparents
siblings
Primary relationship
Family constellation of
people surrounding the
primary relationship
1.People
2. Related
3. Blood
4. Law
5. Choice
Families
Relationsare
Complex

6.  Relationship: pattern of interaction
 Legal: paperwork, documents
 Where does that put domestic partnerships?
 Not privy to same health insurance process, pay
 more for partnership license than heterosexuals
 Cannot file joint taxes

7.  Love?
 Companionship?
 Sex?
 Friendship?
 Support?
 Security?
 Self-worth?
 None of the Above!
 1.
 2.
 3.
 4.
 5.
 6.

8. Described by gender, number, sexual fidelity

9.  Monogamous
 Non- monogamous

10.  Monogamous
 Non Monogamous

11.  Polygamous
• Polyandry
• Polyamory: new movement
• Swingers
Earliest Recorded?

12.  Several people with various sexual practices
Sharing various resources: When was highest number in the
US?

13. Parents previously
married to others
Bringing two
families together
Blended

14. Legitimate Style
SingleParent
Family

15.  Marriage across any cultural, religious, racial
boundaries
 Racial
 Ethnic
 Religion
 Transgender
 National

16. Every Style You Can Imagine. Family structure based on social
norms and indigenous needs.