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A Bed of Roses or a Bed of Thorns? Negotiating the Couple Relationship through Sleep

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  • Jenny Hislop

Abstract

The convention in Western societies of partners sharing a bed is symbolic of their status as a couple, their commitment to the relationship, and their desire for shared intimacy. Yet for many couples, incompatibility as sleeping partners may threaten to undermine romantic notions of the double bed. This paper draws on in-depth interview and audio diary data from research into sleep in couples aged 20-59 (N=40) to examine how couples negotiate the spatial, temporal and relational dimensions of the sleeping environment. The paper contends that the management of tensions inherent in the sleeping relationship plays a key role in framing the couple identity over time, as well as reinforcing the gendered roles, power relationships and inequalities which underpin everyday life.

Suggested Citation

  • Jenny Hislop, 2007. "A Bed of Roses or a Bed of Thorns? Negotiating the Couple Relationship through Sleep," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 12(5), pages 146-158, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:12:y:2007:i:5:p:146-158
    DOI: 10.5153/sro.1621
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pam Lowe & Sharon Boden & Simon Williams & Clive Seale & Deborah Steinberg, 2007. "Who are you Sleeping With? the Construction of Heteronormativity in Stories about Sleep in British Newspapers," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 12(5), pages 173-181, September.
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    1. Pam Lowe & Sharon Boden & Simon Williams & Clive Seale & Deborah Steinberg, 2007. "Who are you Sleeping With? the Construction of Heteronormativity in Stories about Sleep in British Newspapers," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 12(5), pages 173-181, September.
    2. Henry, Doug & Rosenthal, Leon, 2013. "“Listening for his breath:” The significance of gender and partner reporting on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 48-56.
    3. Susan Venn, 2007. "‘It's Okay for a Man to Snore’: The Influence of Gender on Sleep Disruption in Couples," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 12(5), pages 159-172, September.
    4. Eileen Fairhurst, 2007. "Theorising Sleep Practices and Later Life: Moving to Sheltered Housing," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 12(5), pages 214-224, September.
    5. Allison Kirkman, 2010. "‘My Bed or Our Bed?’: Gendered Negotiations in the Sleep of Same-Sex Couples," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 15(2), pages 65-77, May.

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    1. Allison Kirkman, 2010. "‘My Bed or Our Bed?’: Gendered Negotiations in the Sleep of Same-Sex Couples," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 15(2), pages 65-77, May.

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