| Abstract: | Within diverse sets of nonmarital relationships it is postulated that similar developmental stages emerge. Delineation of these stages provides a framework for understanding the many complexities of nonmarital interacting systems. Such a paradigm further helps those who encounter these relationships, either professionally or personally, to face the resulting conflicts in a way which does not impede future growth of the relationships. Five hypothetical developmental stages are presented and applied to two types of nonmarital dyads. Case studies further explain the conceptual model. |
