Exploring multiple intimate relationships in modern society

隨著西方工業革命之後「第二現代」社會的來臨，人們越來越關注自身，親密關係轉而成為個人日常生活中最重要的事務之一，親密關係也逐漸擺脫外在社會的約束，而將其基礎置於關係之中兩人對彼此的承諾上。這樣的特性，符合了英國社會學家Antony Gddens所謂民主化發展的「純粹關係」。本研究從社會學的角度，透過質性研究方法，以理解個人在現代社會中實踐多重親密關係之特性與其意義。 研究結果指出，臺灣現代社會的親密關係正邁向Giddens所指之「匯流愛」的發展趨勢，並有著下列幾個特點：第一，現代社會環境所組成的機會結構，暗助多重親密關係的醞釀與發展：；第二，「曖昧」是為多重親密關係逾越社會對於親密關係規範的跳板；第三，多重親密關係更能使當事人滿足自我；第四，實踐多重親密關係具有「堅守一對一」與「被揭穿」的雙重風險；第五，經濟與性別在多重親密關係的脫勾性。 然而，正處於轉型期的臺灣社會，多重親密關係的實踐仍面臨父權社會殘留與新舊價值的衝突現象。於是，我們也同時從經驗資料中發現類似英國社會學家Jamieson對Gidden論述的質疑，包括：第一，「性別」在多重親密關係中是最終的影響變數；第二，自我內在對於實踐多重親密關係所存在的矛盾感；第三，「一對一關係」的交往規則對多重親密關係來說，具有「限制」與「機會」的雙重意義；第四，現代社會下的「婚姻制度」對親密關係來說是更嚴格的「遊戲規則」，但卻也是多重親密關係的實踐者願意接受的遊戲方式。After the western Industrial Revolution comes the so-called “second modernity.” As people are more concerned about themselves, they cherish intimate relationships much more in their daily life. Intimate relationships have thus disposed of external social control and focused more on the promise between two lovers. This feature is similar to the democratization of pure relationships presented by English sociologist Antony Giddens. From a sociological perspective and through qualitative research methods, this study aims at understanding the characteristics and meanings of multiple intimate relationships as well as the individuals practicing multiple intimate relationships in modern Taiwan. The findings show that intimate relationships in the modern Taiwan society are approaching the “confluent love” stated by Giddens. Multiple intimate relationships are found in this study to carry five characteristics. First, the opportunity structure in modern society facilitates the fermentation and practice of multiple intimate relationships. Second, dubious relationships serve as a jumping board for individuals to bypass the social canons of intimate relationships. Third, people are more satisfied by involving in multiple intimate relationships. Fourth, the double risks of practicing multiple intimate relationships involve the risk for keeping monogamy and the risk for revealing the practicing multiple intimate relationships. Fifth, there is a disjunction between economy and gender in multiple intimate relationships. As Taiwan go through social transformations, the practice of multiple intimate relationships nevertheless remains controversial in a society in which the patriarchic elments remains and the modern values are in conflict with the traditional ones. The empirical evidence demonstrated in this study supports some challenges raised by English sociologist Lynn Jamieson to Giddens’ arguments. First, gender still serves as an ultimate variable in affecting the practice of multiple intimate relationships. Second, individuals often experience a dilemma between a sense of guilt and the pursuit of gratification in maintaining multiple intimate relationships. Third, monogamy implicates both a restraint and an opportunity to develop multiple intimate relationships. Fourth, in the “game” of intimate relationships, the marital system is considered a stricter rule and yet individuals practicing multiple intimate relationships are willing to accept it