Same Sex Couples Counselling Sydney, Central Coast and Online
All intimate relationships have challenges and same-sex couples are no different. Some challenges such as outside prejudice may be more prevalent and yet others such as effective communication, infidelity, betrayal, hurt feelings, emotional wounds are common to all relationships which share an emotional connection.
Parenting in same-sex relationship
"About 11% of gay men and 33% of gay women in Australia have children. Most report that the biggest problem they face is discrimination, either against them or their children."
"Perhaps one of the biggest challenges facing same-sex couples is prejudice, both on a personal level and an institutional level – for example, the lack of support groups, services or legislation.
In addition, the non-biological parent might not get enough recognition for being the ‘other parent’.
Children might be singled out by their peers, or teachers might be insensitive to their situation. Their prejudice might be expressed by blaming the children’s same-sex parents for any trouble."
Source and more information: raisingchildren.net.au
Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Relationships
The legal recognition of same-sex relationships in NSW and elsewhere in Australia has increased dramatically in the last 20 years to a point where most jurisdictions generally provide same-sex couples with the same rights and obligations as heterosexual de facto couples. However, the extent to which same-sex relationships are or should be recognized continues to elicit much debate.
The Netherlands was the first country to introduce same-sex marriage in 2001. As of 26 June 2015, same-sex marriage is available in Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Spain, Canada,, Portugal, South Africa, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and Uraguay. There are also some sub-jurisdictions of Denmark, Mexico, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States that allow same-sex couples to marry.
The Australian Marriage Equality website provides a list of countries where same-sex couples are allowed to marry. Also shown is the date on which the first same-sex marriage was performed.
Stages of healthy same-sex relationship
Blending - Stage 1 - Year 1
"This first stage entails the "unification" of the couple into a single unit. Each man is happy to no longer feel isolated and alone, spends most of his free time with his partner, and experiences strong feelings of romantic love and frequent sexual activity during this time. They balance responsibilities, household rules, and their mutual goals, as well as come to know each others' strengths and weaknesses."
Nesting - Stage 2 - Years 2 and 3
"The second stage is marked by "homemaking" or strengthening the commitment the couple has. They find compatibility though acceptance of each other's personality differences and styles, strengths and weaknesses, and needs and goals. The loss of limerence (or the "end of the honeymoon") is common during this time as well, but is paired with a more realistic view of the relationship and the partner."
Maintaining - Stage 3 - Years 4 and 5
"The third stage is when the couple balances their own individual identities against the couples' traditions and rituals. This can be a difficult time, as each may return to making friends outside the relationship, may begin new hobbies or interests, and may want to renegotiate previously set relationship rules."
Building - Stage 4 - Years 6 through 10
"The fourth stage is marked by the settling of any left-over issues from Stage Three, and the couple is left with the sense that their connection is "dependable" and that they know each other very well. They have established a new balance of dependence/independence and can now collaborate on goals such as career building, vocational changes, and retirement planning."
Releasing - Stage 5 - Years 10 through 20
"In the fifth stage, the couple comes to trust each other completely, with no need "to change him." The relationship is more likely marked by close friendship and companionship, and greater relationship satisfaction (Kurdek, 1989). Money and resources are no longer shared, so much as simply owned by both."
Renewing - Stage 6
"Stage six might be considered the "retirement" stage of the relationship, when the couple has financial security, more time for each other, and more time for their own thoughts and activities. While health issues may become more salient, also salient during this time are issues associated with the meaning of life, and a sense of productivity or stagnation across one's life, similar to Erikson's "Integrity versus Despair" stage of psychosocial development."
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