ABSTRACT
Popular images of romance tend to suggest an idyllic bond between partners; intimacy, as
portrayed in movies, television, books and other media, is a spontaneous, mutually fulfilling
experience. Yet few of us would dispute that romantic intimate relationships can be more
complicated than that. It is difficult for individuals to agree about what a ‘‘good relationship’’
entails, and who should be responsible for which kinds of duties. For all the carefree pop-
culture imagery, the fact remains that intimacy is not free of conflict and involves tough
decisions.
