ABSTRACT
Countering the prevailing claim that individuals voluntarily develop relationships with liked partners, Jon Hess (2000) suggested that people often engage in nonvoluntary relationships with liked and disliked partners. Hess posited that liking is only one of many reasons that account for relational development and maintenance. Nonvoluntary relationships can be found in families (e.g., in-laws, siblings, step siblings, parents, step parents), the workplace (e.g., co-workers, bosses, colleagues), and in many other social situations. These relationships might be difficult to terminate, and are, therefore, deemed nonvoluntary. However, they are not necessarily unsatisfying.
