This book explores a central issue in the study of close relationships: the reevaluation of traditional gender roles to take into account what is both functional and optimal for people in dual-career relationships. The author discusses how many women and men are attempting to negotiate new realities at home and work, with each other and with the larger social structure. The expectations and realities of dual-career family life are examined, benefits of increased gender equity for both same-sex and heterosexual couples explored, and continuing obstacles and sources of stress identified.

Gender is still largely ignored as an "active" variable in counseling and is typically viewed as pertaining to women's issues or problems. The field has leap-frogged over gender, perhaps because it is too complex, perhaps because we resist change, or perhaps because our gender socialization is sufficiently effective as is. This book makes clear as to why gender must be considered in understanding the client's concerns, the process of therapy, and the counselor's role in the therapeutic interaction. Effective therapy requires an understanding of gender theory and gender processes. The approach...

I realize more and more that to some degree psychol ogists study their own lives. My first studies in the mid-1970s looked at the conflicts that emerge in dual career couples as the partners combine their various roles. Ideas for the early studies initially came from con versations with clients, friends, and people I met trav eling. Soon after the topic of dual careers came up, dis cussions of guilt and frustration followed. The partici pants in my first studies turned out to be predominantly women. Men expressed little interest in participating. A common response was, "Talk to my wife. " 7 8...