THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE STRUCTURES OF A RELATIONSHIP AND ARGUING

The present work aims to investigate how women argue in different rela tionship-structures. We assume that mainly the symmetry of a relations hip is relevant for the style of arguing. Symmetry is determined by po wer, justice, roles and the subjective view of a relationship. Further more, we investigate if women in lesbian relationships differ from wom en in heterosexual relationships concerning arguing. The results of a questionnaire-study (n = 46) show that mainly the symmetry of a relati onship is associated with the style of arguing: Arguing is more constr uctive in symmetric relationships and the fear to argue is lower than in asymmetric relationships. In addition, women in symmetric relations hips feel more happy than those in asymmetric relationships. Sex of th e partner has no importance at all for the manner of arguing and happi ness in a relationship.