Pojęcie ‘partner życiowy’ w percepcji młodych dorosłych żyjących w pojedynkę i w związku nieformalnym

Abstract

The present qualitative study explored the meaning of the term ‘a lifetime partner’ among single and partnered young adults, as well as between women and men. Three hundred and eighty six young adults (277 women and 109 men) aged 19-33 years old were asked to complete the following unfinished sentence “Lifetime partner means to me…” The results of qualitative and quantitative analysis showed that young adults perceived a lifetime partner as: (1) an important or the most important person to an individual; (2) a person who gives the feeling of safety, supports and who is reliable and is understanding; (3) a person who loves and who is loved, who cares and who is cared of, and who is trustworthy; (4) a person with whom you can form or you are planning to form a long-term relationship/ marriage and have or not to have children. The analysis also revealed that, in general, single and partnered young adults, as well as women and men, in a similar way understood the term ‘a lifetime partner’.