Equal Partnering

As traditional roles of men and women continue to change, equality in a relationship is a major trouble spot for many couples. Equal Partnering is designed to help couples, married or not, understand how to achieve a balanced, equal partnership. Editor Barbara Jo Brothers presents the advice of experienced counselors and therapists. Through their feminine perspective, these professionals provide several models for improving the equality between man and woman. Each model is distinctly different and focuses on a unique approach to promoting equality in the relationship. All the models emphasize the importance of mutual empowerment in the couples relationship. This practical book shows how empowerment between a man and woman is the way to equality--the key to a successful, long-lasting, and intimate relationship. Specifically, Equal Partnering enables family and couples therapists to show how cooperation is a more expedient attitude than competition; explains basic empowerment and gender issues; explores the concept of a relationship between couples with equal partnering as a goal; and helps them understand personal as well as economic empowerment issues such as mothers receiving funds from Aid to Families With Dependent Children. An added bonus is the inclusion of an in-depth interview with Virginia Satir, the mother of family therapy and proponent of empowerment for all people.