Date of Award:

5-1966

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Human Development and Family Studies

Department name when degree awarded

Marriage and Family Relations

Committee Chair(s)

Don C. Carter

Committee

Don C. Carter

Committee

C. Jay Skidmore

Committee

David R. Stone

Abstract

In our society today the progress of many courtships and engagements is interrupted by separations of varying periods of time and for various reasons. Hill (1949) found that wartime family separations cause a two-dimensional crisis constituting a hazard to the continuance of the relationship both at the time of separation and at the time of reunion. The assumption is made that a courtship would be affected in a similar way. Blood (1963, p. 161) says,

Both partners change somewhat while they are apart. This is not due to the separation alone, however, for personality changes go on constantly. When people are together, changes are adjusted to as they occur. New interests and behavior patterns emerge so gradually that people who see each other regularly hardly realize what is happening. If the same people had been apart, the cumulative effect of the same changes would be conspicuous. Note how parents are never so startled by their children's growth as relatives who haven't seem them for a whole year. Personality changes not only pile up during separation but also are accentuated by it. When people are together, they are exposed to similar influences. Separation inevitably involves a different environment. In the case of military service, this change is especially marked.

Research dealing with the problem of maintaining a courtship under conditions of separation has primarily been limited to its consequences without specific consideration of the influence of variables which may affect its outcome. The purpose of this study has been to identify and determine the significance of some variables which may tend to influence absentee courtships toward either termination or continuation of the relationship. The following variables were studied to determine their relevance to and influence on the outcome of courtship separation: the extent of acquaintance and relationship prior to separation, nature of agreements made at the time of departure, content and frequency of correspondence, attitudes toward the purpose of the separation, types of activities and involvement of both parties during the separation, and changes in personality and goals which may or may not be present during the progress of the separation. This study made a further attempt to identify any additional variables as they emerged showing potential influence on the outcome of the absentee courtship.

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