| dc.description.abstract | A postmodern, narrative exploration of discourses about romantic love
The aim of this thesis was to describe, explore and uncover people's ideas en practices about romantic love in terms of their own interpretations and narratives. These narratives might have been marginalized or disclaimed by existing social, psychological and religious discourses on romantic love. The study attempted to discover local, non-scientific romantic love discourses, specifically within the Tshwane context of South Africa. To accomplish this aim the researcher did this study within the postmodern, social constructivist, narrative approach. Existing social, psychological and religious discourses on romantic love were firstly reviewed extensively. It served as an essential backdrop to the qualitative analysis that was undertaken of the interviews. By employing semi-structured, qualitative interviews which were guided by broad themes that were identified during the literature review; the researcher was able to record local romantic love related discourses and practices. The data that was accrued was then qualitatively examined with the purpose of identifying and exploring current, local discourses related to romantic love. The results of this research support the view of the post modem, social onstructivist approach that there is no single truth regarding romantic love. It is neither only a special feeling, nor is it just a description of behaviour patterns. The most important findings included that people's definitions of romantic love differ from person to person, but regardless of the definition romantic love did play an important role in their relationships. Their views on romantic love have been influenced more by their parents' example then by the media. Ninety percent of the respondents agreed that romantic love did change over time. Mostly the changes were a deepening or intensifying of romantic love. Some of the respondents made a distinction between love, 'being in love' and romantic love.
The results of this study support the concept that romantic love implies a relationship between two people, which can only be expressed and understood through the language used to speak about it. | |
