Drafts by Priyadarshini Deori
Marriage has been an integral part of Indian culture for centuries. Marital relationship is
consi... more Marriage has been an integral part of Indian culture for centuries. Marital relationship is
considered as one of the important intimate relationships. There is limited literature on coconstruction
and experience of intimacy in married couples particularly amongst couples from
rural communities and from the Northeastern part of India. An exploratory study with qualitative
approach to inquiry was conceptualized within the social constructivist paradigm. The study
aimed to explore the co-construction of intimacy in married couples of the Deori tribe in Assam.
In-depth interviews were conducted with six married couples of the Deori tribe of Assam to
explore the co-construction of intimacy and its dimensions- love and affection, communication,
self-disclosure, trust, commitment, interdependence, physical intimacy and conflicts and conflict
resolution. The study also explored how the experience and expression of intimacy was
influenced by the socio-cultural context. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data
obtained. Findings revealed the ways the couples co-constructed intimacy. Love was expressed
through gestures that were part of their daily lives such as by understanding each other and
taking care of each other’s needs. Conversation that bought happiness revolved around work,
family and future. Participants shared the thoughts and feelings they experienced about the day,
children, and issues they faced in terms of work with each other. Trust was ensured by the
mutual effort of both spouses such as by being truthful and by not withholding any information
from each other. Commitment was exercised by being loyal to each other and by fulfilling their
responsibilities in the relationship. Conflicts revolved around inability of the spouse to complete
work and husband’s excessive consumption of alcohol. Conflicts were resolved through
discussions and by teasing each other. Women felt pressurized managing both the household
xi
chores and other responsibilities like taking care of the needs of the family members and
engaging in agricultural activities. Participants’ narrative revealed that community and culture
were overwhelmingly powerful structures that dominated the way they experienced intimacy in
their relationships. Expression of intimacy was through socially acceptable ways like by
communicating respectfully and by gifting their spouse. Some participants shared that
celebration of wedding anniversaries and birthdays were learnt by observing and interacting with
couples from other communities. Findings from the study have implications in future research
and relational therapy.
Keywords: social boundaries, socio-cultural context, co-construction, powerful structures,
private affair
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Drafts by Priyadarshini Deori
considered as one of the important intimate relationships. There is limited literature on coconstruction
and experience of intimacy in married couples particularly amongst couples from
rural communities and from the Northeastern part of India. An exploratory study with qualitative
approach to inquiry was conceptualized within the social constructivist paradigm. The study
aimed to explore the co-construction of intimacy in married couples of the Deori tribe in Assam.
In-depth interviews were conducted with six married couples of the Deori tribe of Assam to
explore the co-construction of intimacy and its dimensions- love and affection, communication,
self-disclosure, trust, commitment, interdependence, physical intimacy and conflicts and conflict
resolution. The study also explored how the experience and expression of intimacy was
influenced by the socio-cultural context. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data
obtained. Findings revealed the ways the couples co-constructed intimacy. Love was expressed
through gestures that were part of their daily lives such as by understanding each other and
taking care of each other’s needs. Conversation that bought happiness revolved around work,
family and future. Participants shared the thoughts and feelings they experienced about the day,
children, and issues they faced in terms of work with each other. Trust was ensured by the
mutual effort of both spouses such as by being truthful and by not withholding any information
from each other. Commitment was exercised by being loyal to each other and by fulfilling their
responsibilities in the relationship. Conflicts revolved around inability of the spouse to complete
work and husband’s excessive consumption of alcohol. Conflicts were resolved through
discussions and by teasing each other. Women felt pressurized managing both the household
xi
chores and other responsibilities like taking care of the needs of the family members and
engaging in agricultural activities. Participants’ narrative revealed that community and culture
were overwhelmingly powerful structures that dominated the way they experienced intimacy in
their relationships. Expression of intimacy was through socially acceptable ways like by
communicating respectfully and by gifting their spouse. Some participants shared that
celebration of wedding anniversaries and birthdays were learnt by observing and interacting with
couples from other communities. Findings from the study have implications in future research
and relational therapy.
Keywords: social boundaries, socio-cultural context, co-construction, powerful structures,
private affair