TY - JOUR
T1 - Experiences of the Marital Relationship among Orthodox Jewish Gay Men in Mixed-Orientation Marriages
AU - Kissil, Karni
AU - Itzhaky, Haya
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2015/3/15
Y1 - 2015/3/15
N2 - This qualitative study describes the marital relationship experiences of Orthodox Jewish gay men in mixed-orientation marriages. In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 men from the northeastern part of North America about their experiences of being gay in their Orthodox religious communities. Spontaneous accounts of their experiences within the marital relationship were reported by all participants. A content analysis revealed four primary themes: reasons for getting married, the role of the Orthodox community in sustaining the marriage, quality of the marital relationship, and the impact of homosexuality on the marital relationship. Findings suggest that religion and the Orthodox community play a major role in gay Orthodox Jewish men's decision to marry and in sustaining the marriage. In addition, findings suggest that the marital relationship is experienced as a task-centered teamwork and not as a source of support and intimacy. Finally, although rarely discussed in the relationship, their sexual orientation greatly influences these men's attitudes, behaviors, and feelings toward their wives.
AB - This qualitative study describes the marital relationship experiences of Orthodox Jewish gay men in mixed-orientation marriages. In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 men from the northeastern part of North America about their experiences of being gay in their Orthodox religious communities. Spontaneous accounts of their experiences within the marital relationship were reported by all participants. A content analysis revealed four primary themes: reasons for getting married, the role of the Orthodox community in sustaining the marriage, quality of the marital relationship, and the impact of homosexuality on the marital relationship. Findings suggest that religion and the Orthodox community play a major role in gay Orthodox Jewish men's decision to marry and in sustaining the marriage. In addition, findings suggest that the marital relationship is experienced as a task-centered teamwork and not as a source of support and intimacy. Finally, although rarely discussed in the relationship, their sexual orientation greatly influences these men's attitudes, behaviors, and feelings toward their wives.
KW - Orthodox Jews
KW - marital relationship
KW - mixed-orientation marriages
KW - religion
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84940272194&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/1550428x.2014.900659
DO - 10.1080/1550428x.2014.900659
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AN - SCOPUS:84940272194
SN - 1550-428X
VL - 11
SP - 151
EP - 172
JO - Journal of GLBT Family Studies
JF - Journal of GLBT Family Studies
IS - 2
ER -