Social representations of the ideals of long term relationships : the contrast between monogamy and polygamy

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore social representations of the University of Malta students regarding long-term relationships while providing a contrast between monogamy and polygamy through the participants' understandings. A qualitative approach has been adopted in order to acquire the necessary data. This has been achieved through the administration of three focus groups which were conducted on separate occasions each consisting of about seven participants. These were students pertaining to different faculties at the University of Malta, thus fitting within the required age group, that is, 18 to 25 years. The participants had been selected thorough convenience and snowball sampling. The data gathered was analysed using thematic analysis, and the findings were organised into codes, sixteen sub-themes and five superordinate themes. The latter include: human nature, the value of a relationship, polygamy, stereotypes, and inclination towards plural relationships. All these complement the global theme, monogamy as higher value to polygamy. The findings show that participants attribute negative qualities to polygamy while positive characteristics to monogamy. Monogamous practices are more related to the participants' aspirations towards relationships and these beliefs are more likely to be the result of cultural forces.