Chap-4-5 (1).docx

RESULTS This chapter contains the discussion of the results according to several interviews conducted by the researchers. Included in this chapter are the interview answers about the reasons for commitment and challenges of bisexual individuals who are in a same-sex bisexual relationship. Results of levels of relationship satisfaction, which were obtained using the Couples Satisfaction Index, are also reported.

Problem 1: What is the mean standard deviation of the relationship satisfaction of bisexual men and bisexual women in a quality relationship?

Satisfaction

Bisexuals Female Male

Group Statistics N Mean 4 136.25 4 123.50

Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean 5.058 2.529 11.121 5.560

Table 2: Relationship Satisfaction of Bisexual Men and Bisexual Women in a quality relationship

The bisexual female subjects obtained a mean of one hundred thirty-six and twenty-five hundredths (136.25) with a standard deviation of five and fifty-eight thousandths (5.058) for the test of relationship satisfaction. The bisexual male subjects obtained a mean of one hundred twenty-three and fifty tenths (123.50) with a standard deviation of eleven and one hundred

twenty-one thousandths (11.121) for the test of relationship satisfaction. The Levene’s Test for Equality of Variances obtained a significance value of two hundred three thousandths (.203). With this, it could be inferred that the variability in the scores of bisexual males and bisexual females is about the same. Problem 2: Is there a significant difference in the relationship satisfaction between bisexual men and bisexual women? The T-Test, which is shown in Table 2, gained a T value of negative 2 and eighty-seven thousandths (-2.087) with a degree of freedom of six (6) and a significance value of eighty two thousandths (.082). It can be concluded that there is no significant difference in the relationship satisfaction between bisexual men and bisexual women in a quality relationship.

Problem 3: What are the reasons for commitment of bisexual men and bisexual women in a quality relationship?

A. Romantic Attachment Bisexual men and women commit in a same-sex bisexual relationship because they are romantically attached to their long term partners. They have deep feelings of love and affection and established trust and loyalty. They fulfill each other’s need for companionship and relatedness. Bisexual couples also became each other’s constant source of unconditional positive regard and. Theme A.1: Love and Affection

Bisexual men and women tend to commit in a quality relationship because they are romantically attached to their long-term partners. Respondents expressed the love and affection they have for their partners as the reason why they commit despite of the many challenges they went through throughout the course of the relationship. “Unang-una ‘yung love namin as isa’t isa tsaka ‘yung mga experiences namin together kasi ang dami na din naming pinagdaanan eh. Happiness man or pagsubok.” (Pink, 20, bi female) “Di ko sinukuan kahit anong mangyari tas siya din may mga times na bumibitaw siya pero ako talaga ‘yung kumakapit parang gan’on.” (Orange, 20, bi female) “Nagcommit ako dahil sakanya. Syempre mahal niyo ‘yung isa’t isa,” (Blue, 21, bi male) “Pero kasi kami, magkaaway man kami, naninimbang ako eh. Syempre mas marami ‘yung masaya kaysa sa mga nagaaway kayo. Saka, mahal ko eh.” (Peach, 21, bi female) “…pero pwedeng merong true love. ‘Yung true love na ‘yun ‘yung kaya mong ibigay sa isang tao.” (Black, 37, bi male) “Basta pinopokus ko ‘yung sarili ko kung saan ako magiging masaya as long as na wala akong natatapakan, dun ako.” (Green, 21, bi male)

Theme A.2: Trust and Loyalty In contrast with the stereotype that bisexuals have difficulty with committing to a quality relationship, researchers have gathered that established trust and loyalty to their partners are vital reasons to commit and maintain a quality relationship with a same-sex bisexual individual.

“Pinakaimportante kasi dyan ‘yung trust saka understanding kasi kung wala naman kasing trust, paano nga naman magiging strong ‘yung relasyon n’yo di’ba?” (Green, 29, bi male) “Itreat mo as hindi lang girlfriend eh, parang bestfriend di’ba? Na lahat sasabihin mo sakanya, ‘wag kang magtatago ng secrets. Isama mo siya sa lahat ng plano mo gano’n.” (Peach, 21, bi female) “Yung sa loyalty tas ‘yung trust kasi ‘yun talaga ‘yung sa ganitong relasyon.” (Orange, 20, bi female) “Kasi kung may tiwala ka di ka makakapagisip ng mga bagay na masama about sa kanya.” (Pink, 20, bi female) “Trust talaga. Kase minsan kahit wala na ‘yung love, basta trust andun pa, mabbuild mo pa ‘yung love atsaka relationship.” (Blue, 21, bi male)

Theme A.3: Companionship and Relatedness Bisexual couples tend to engage and commit in a quality relationship due to the need for a companion that they can relate to. Bisexual couples disclosed that, in a longterm relationship like theirs, sexual activities become unimportant, particularly in showing affection and love for their partner. “Hindi ‘yung sex, hindi ‘yung pleasure, hindi pera, kasi dumating nga kami sa puntong wala kaming makain magkasama pa rin kami. Pero dahil siguro sa pinahahalagahan namin ‘yung bawat isa. ‘Yung pamilyang binuo naming, ‘yun yung nagpatagal sa’min kasi inisip namin, ganito nga kami, tatanda kaming ganito, sinong kasama namin?” (Red, 37, bi male)

“Sexual, wala na ask him ah. More on companionship nalang kami… Hindi na namin kailangan ng gan’ong bagay kasi more on, kailangan namin ‘yung isa’t isa, na may kulang na alam namin sinusuportahan ko s’ya or sinusuportahan n’ya ko. Ayun ‘yung mas importante. ” (Black, 37, bi male)

Theme A.4.: Unconditional Positive Regard Bisexual couples reported that their partner became their constant source of unconditional positive regard that helped them in overcoming struggles that arise with engaging in this kind of relationship and also outside the context of a same-sex bisexual relationship “Oo, Kasi ano, pumasok siya sa life ko na hindi maganda yung standing ko talaga. Siya yung tumutulong sakin maovercome yung mga struggles ko sa life.” (Peach, 21, bi female) “Oo kasi ano eh, siya yung tumutulong sakin.” (Orange, 20, bi female) “Oo. Nakakuha kami ng home sa isa’t isa. Tapos nafeel ko na may partner talaga ako na di lang ako magisa. Na may sasalo sa akin.” (Pink, 20, bi female) “Kasi ano ‘yung lagi siyang nandyan kahit may problema never siyang nawawala, nagmmake siya ng way para tulungan kao or gawan ng solusyon ‘yung problema basta mas lighter pag nandyan siya.” (Yellow, 21, bi female) “Alam kong nandyan parin siya para sa’kin tapos ‘yung tipong meron kang, merong kang isang taong masasabihan mo one na magkaproblmea ka, ‘yung matatakbuhan mo.” (Black, 37, bi male)

B. Dreams for the Relationship Bisexual men and women commit in a same-sex bisexual relationship because they have the desire to achieve their dreams for their relationship. Theme B.1.: Legal Companionship Despite of the unavailability of same-sex marriage in the Philippines, bisexual men and women expressed a desire to legalize their relationship. Respondents disclosed that marriage is important not only to further strengthen their relationship but for conjugal ownership of property they already have and would acquire in the future. Some respondents also consider having their marriage abroad where same-sex marriage is legal. “Uhm, ano, syempre magpakasal...” (Blue, 21, bi male) “Gusto ko syempre ikasal kami...” (Yellow, 21, bi female)

Theme B.2.: To Build a Family Same-sex bisexual couples desire to have children of their own through various artificial methods that are at present available for couples to have a child. Despite growing up in a traditional family, most respondents consider having a child and building a family of their own because, to be labelled a family does not necessarily mean that it must consist of a man, woman, and children. Most of the respondents who stated this reason for commitment were bisexual females.

“If kaya na namin, gusto rin naman natin magkafamily ganon. Tapos yung mga alternative nalang since hindi nga tayo kaya sa natural way ng pagkakaroon ng anak,” (Peach, 21, bi female) “…magkaroon kami ng family.” (Yellow, 21, bi female)

Theme B.3.: To Acquire Properties and Establish Business Bisexual couples in a same-sex bisexual relationship desire to acquire properties that they could consider as their own and to start a business with their spouse. “Syempre ‘yung makabili kami ng sarili naming bahay, magkaroon ng sasakyan at business.” (Black, 37, bi male) “Kailangan ng sariling bahay parang gan’on tas sariling sasakyan.” (Orange, 20, bi female)

C. Personal Growth Bisexual individuals in a same-sex bisexual relationship undergo several significant changes in their personality that simultaneously made them and helped them commit for a long time in a quality relationship. Theme C.1. Realization of Meaning and Purpose Bisexual men and women reported that being in a same-sex bisexual relationship made them realize their meaning and purpose in life. A new sense of direction in life was discovered, with the guidance of their partner, throughout the course of their relationship.

“Di ko masasabing bumuti yung buhay ko pero mas naging meaningful yung buhay ko after kong pinasok yung relationship na ‘to. Nagkaron ng purpose. Kumbaga parang nakita ko ‘yung ano yung lakas ko, ano ‘yung strength ko, ano ‘yung weakness ko, na kaya ko rin palang kumilos kahit wala akong mautusan.” (Red, 37, bi male) “Yes masasabi ko kasi ‘yun nga, hindi ako materyosong tao, hindi ako materyoso pero alam mo yun, ineducate niya ako, ineducate n’ya ko na hindi mo to kailangan, eto kailangan mo... Gusto ko makita ng mga pamangkin ko na respeto pa rin sakin na kahit ganito ko, maipagmalaki nila ko na, ‘’yung tito ko bading pero ‘di ganyan kalandi’, parang gano’on. ‘’yung tito ko bading pero ‘di ganyan papalit palit ng relasyon’, ‘yung tipong gan’on. Tas pinatanggap ko sakanila na, oo bading ako pero responsable ako.” (Black, 37, bi male)

Theme C.2.: Development of Sense of Maturity Bisexual men and women in a same-sex bisexual relationship stated that engaging in this kind of relationship developed in them a sense of maturity that made them commit for a long time. “Oo sobra kasi mas natutuo ako maging responsible, financially. Emotionally, halos everything kasi nga nagkaroon nga ako syempre ng pangarap na ayoko lang maging ganito, parang ginawa ko na kailangang maging mas better para pagdating ng panahon na makilala man ako ng ibang tao na ganito, wala silang mararason para maliitin ka or idown ka.” (Green, 29, bi male)

Theme C.3.: Increase in Self-Esteem Bisexual individuals in a same-sex bisexual relationship reported an increase in their self-esteem since engaging in this kind of relationship. “Mas may parang malakas ang loob namin ngayon kumpara dati, atsaka parang naramdaman din na mas accepted naman sa panahon ngayon before dati.” (Green, 29, bi male)

Theme C.4.: Freedom to Express their True Self Bisexual individuals stated that engaging in this relationship enable them to act and adapt in accordance with their true self and to express their sexuality to their family, friends, and society in general. “Oo kasi parang mas na ano yung pananalita ko. Mas naging normal yung galaw ko parang wala na kong itatago. Parang alam na ng lahat kung sino ako.” (Blue, 21, bi male) “Naging open naman ako kahit papano lalo na sa family, tapos naging mas masaya, mas nakakapagvoice out naman na ako kahit papano.” (Green, 29, bi male)

C. Personal Standards Bisexual men and women commit in a same-sex bisexual relationship because their partner meet the standards they set for an ideal long term partner. They also discussed that they each have similarities differences that helped them to maintain and commit in this kind of relationship.

Theme D.1.: Emotional Respondents expressed that their partner possess emotional characteristics that they look for in a significant other. “Gusto ko kasi ‘yung malakas ‘yung sense of humor, laging andyan kahit anong mangyari.” (Yellow, 21, bi female) “Syempre loyal. Kasi lahat tayo ‘yun naman talaga ang hinahanap. Loyal tsaka caring. Siguro kaya kami nagtagal kasi sobrang caring s’ya.” (Peach, 21, bi female) “Di lang pagiging loyal, but faithful, atsaka mas gusto ko kasi ‘yung mas mamahalin n’ya ‘yung pamilya n’ya kumpara sa relasyon kasi doon talaga mabubuo ‘yun.” (Green, 29, bi male) “Thoughtful ganu’n tas maalaga din tas lagi siyang andyan pag may problema.” (Orange, 21, bi female) “Oo kasi sobrang bait n’ya tapos understanding and caring. Sa akin kasi ‘yun ang pinakaimportante kasi ang hirap makahanap ng tao na sobrang haba ng pasensya and malalim ‘yung understanding.” (Pink, 21, bi female)

Theme D.2.: Similarities Breed Liking Bisexual couples discussed that being with a partner whose gender is the same and personality traits similar as theirs helped establishing intimacy relatively easier than being in a relationship with someone in the opposite gender and dissimilar personality traits.

“Pang long term din kasi ako… Personality ko kasi ‘yon. Ayoko ng lokohan. Hindi din ako ‘yung malandi… Gusto ko if may something, magcommit ka.” (Peach, 21, bi female)

“Since parehas kaming girl mas marami kaming napagkakasunduan na mga bagay… Pero ngayon since girl siya gusto naming ‘yung damit, or mga simpleng bagay na gusto namin gan’on.” (Pink, 20, bi female)

Theme D.3.: Opposites Attract On the other hand, bisexual couples disclosed that despite of some individual differences, in terms of personality traits, economic status, and hobbies, that they have, they still managed to commit and maintain a quality relationship. “Hindi ko alam kung bakit nag-click kami, with all those differences na meron kami. Ako ‘yung tipo ng taong kasing seryoso ako sa buhay eh…Very focused ako sa kung ano ‘yung mga dapat gawin. Siya naman ‘yung tipo ng tao na in a sense na, happy-go-lucky. Hindi kasi ako ganon.” (Red, 37, bi male) SOP 2. What are the challenges faced by bisexual men and bisexual women in forming a quality relationship? Theme A. Exploring One’s Sexuality Bisexual men and women tend to look into ways by which they are able to deal with people around them and try to know how to build a long lasting relationship in spite of the challenges they will face. Most responded admittingly that they enjoy meeting new people and knowing the opinions and perspectives of the people when it comes to third gender.

“Parang masyadong malikot bisexual so parang today may nangyare, tomorrow hindi na ganun… yun yung pangit. Siguro ico-consider ko rin yung edad so kapag-ka bata, ganun talaga, syempre sabi nila di ba yung mga bata mapusok, pero lately yung parang ahm, yun yung pag edad na ng 25 or 27 pataas, dun na siguro yung start ng seryoso. Good thing, minsan mas matagla pa yung relationship ng same sex kesa sa babae’t lalaki.” (Black,37, bi male)

“Ah ano kase, uhm ah 12 yrs old pa lang ako nun tapos syempre bata ka pa teenager hinahanap mo pa yung sarili mo tapos uhm syempre hanap hanap ka. Diba uso na yung facebook nun? Kaya syempre nag facebook ka so maraming mga account, account ganyan ganyan search search nakilala ko sya doon. Pero parang ano pa lang sya nun, uhm tawag nga? Poser.” (Blue,21, bi male)

Theme A.1. Out of Curiosity towards their own preference The challenges that faced by bisexual men and women in forming a quality relationship, is many bisexuals at young age explore their limits in order to know what will satisfy their needs. One may be, flirting with other gender or same gender to know if they’re quite capable of committing in a serious relationship.

“In-add nya ko, syempre dahil ano naman ako, di naman ako yung isnaber in-accept ko naman,” (Green,29, bi male)

“Actually nagsimula lang yon nung nagka-chat kami. Nag-chat lang kami and then uhm…i invited him na magkita kami so, nagkita kami sa Jollibee sa may, sa may Cogeo…” (Red,27, bi male)

“Kasi dati may crush kami.. magkaiba kami ng crush so yung crush namen parehas nagkatuluyan tapos parang nagjojoke kami na kami nalang tas ayun nadevelop…” (Yellow, 21, bi female)

“Nagkaroon siya ng boyfriend. First boyfriend niya then ako meron din ako nun * giggles* ang aga. Tapos ayun nagkaroon kami ng separate partners.” (Pink, 20, bi female)

Theme B. Resisting Temptation Bisexual couples tend to entice not just to their same gender but also the other gender, many of them admit that sometimes it’s hard resolve conflicts in a relationship. They call this stage as just a phase. “Nagkaron ng pagkukulang ang bawat isa, na nagkaron ng tukso, nagkaron ng mga bagay na sumubok talaga samin” (Red, 37, bi male)

“Yung temptation sa iba kasi girl kami and may mga friends kami na girls din na may boyfriend and mattempt ka na what if kung boy yung karelationship namin. And yung mga may nangligaw sa amin and medyo na shake yung relationship namin. Pero at the end of the day narealize namin na malalim yung foundation na nabuo namin.” (Pink, 20, bi female)

Theme B.1. Cheating while in a Relationship When it comes to committing in a serious relationship ,sometimes people experience being seduced and would lead them try something new. Other bisexual men and women sometimes cheat and may take for granted their partners and may hurt them eventually.

“Actually, kaya nga sinasabi ko walang faithful. Kasi I caught him, hindi naman in the act, parang 3 years palang kami may nagawa na syang kasalanan sakin…. Hindi lang isang beses nangyari yun. Sabi nila turning point tatlong taon, 6 years diba, yun yung mga turning point nila. 3 years palang kami nangyari na yun, tapos sumunod 5 years, tapos sumunod 8 years kami, ngayon wala pa naman magsa-sampung taon.” (Black, 37, bi male)

“Ayun kasi lately lang nagkaron kami ng ayaw tungkol sa trust issues kasi parang may nag ano na may gusto sa kanya nung nag OOJT kami tas parang nagkagusto rin siya dun. Parang ganun kasi nung mga time na yun parang nag-aaway lagi kami nag aaway tas ngayon pero ngayon naman na bumabawi siya ganun lagi na siyang ano sabi niya okay nadin naman na.” (Orange, 20, bi female)

Theme B.2 Lack of Intimacy When it comes to committing into serious relationship, sometimes intimacy is missing because sometimes they feel disconnected from their partner and there are things that not always seem to their relationship. It is the most common issue that many couples are faced with and it takes a lot of work, time and patience to re-establish it. “Ano kasi tignan mo yung kanya nga rin nung nakaraan lately diba? Parang nagkakalabuan kami. Yun talaga yun” (Orange, 20, bi female)

“Mga bagay? Quality time masasabi ko pero minsan nagfe-fail ako don” (Black, 37, bi male)

“So may mga times talaga na nagtatampo na ko sa kanya kasi yung time spent, kaya sinabihan ko sya minsan na “hindi ako option, kasi I should be your choice. Hindi… hindi barkada moang bumuhay sayo” (Red, 37, bi male)

Theme B.3 Confusion/ Struggling with our Identity The challenges bisexual men and women face in forming a quality relationship is being confused to what they feel towards their partners. They tend to question themselves if it’s still right or worth it to commit even if they’re in a long-term relationship.

“Siguro yung about sa ano yung sa naconfuse sya so may time na nagiging, kanina magkikita tapos nagkakaron sya ng confuse sa sarili although di ko naman din ano, di ko naman din pinigilan yon...” (Green,29, bi male)

“Tapos edi sa 2 nd year high school, kaya nun syempre naguguluhan pa ko nun pero may nililigawan akong babae nun that time...Syempre kung sino yung malayo, sya yung kailangan iano i-give up. Edi ginive-up ko sya yung boy, edi dun ako sa girl syempre nag last yung relationship nun a year din nun kase nga yung attitude ko towards sa babae...iba kase diba nga naguguluhan din ako? . Tapos 3rd yr ayun may girlfriend din ako, pero naguguluhan din ako kaya natapos din sya.” (Blue, 21, bi male)

Theme B.4 Faith over Relation Some bisexual men and bisexual women couples believe that their Religion is also important to their decision, especially when there’s a struggle to their relationship. They still believe that faith still matters into a relationship even if they’re aware that some religion is still not agree on the LGBT Community.

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“Minsan ayoko na lang magsimba..or kung magsisimba man, di kami sabay kase parang ang awkward ba? (laugh)” (Black, 27, bi male)

“Sabi ko sa kanya kung ano sa tingin mo, regarding sa faith yan number one yan kasi although ano naman sya, mapas--pala simba, laging nasa simbahan, di ko naman masisisi na ganun isipin nya, sabi ko naman sa kanya kung ano man yung nasa isip mo nasa puso mo, kung may takot ka, pasukin to iderecho tong relasyon na to, tatanggapin ko kasi si God yun eh, pero kung ipaglalaban mo ko, kung ia-accept mo ko, ipaglalaban din kita i accept din kita kung ano man lahat, kung ano man mangyare hanggang huli kasi ganon talaga” (Green, 29, bi male)

DISCUSSION In this study, the researchers proposed to study the relationship satisfaction of same-sex bisexual men and women in a quality relationship. The researchers also intended to determine the reasons for their commitment in a quality relationship and the challenges they encountered throughout the course of their relationship. This study aimed to answer the following research questions. 1. What is the mean standard deviation of the relationship satisfaction of bisexual men and bisexual women in a quality relationship? 2. Is there a significant difference in the relationship satisfaction between bisexual men and bisexual women? 3. What are the reasons for commitment of bisexual men and bisexual women in a quality relationship? 4. What are the challenges faced by bisexual men and bisexual women on forming a quality relationship?

The researchers used the following theories; Triangular Theory of Love by Robert Sternberg, Holistic Dynamic Theory by Abraham Maslow, and Humanistic Psychoanalysis by Erich Fromm. Triangular Theory of Love by Robert Sternberg stated that the concept of love consists of three components; intimacy, passion, and decision/commitment. Interrelationships and different combinations of the aforementioned three components determine the kind of love a person has for the other (Sternberg, 1989). Abraham Maslow’s Holistic Dynamic Theory proposed that we are constantly motivated and as one need is satisfied, another need takes place. The need for love and belongingness results from the satisfaction of the physiological needs and safety needs, hence, these people are motivated by sex and human contact, and the need to receive and give love (Feist and Feist, 2013). Humanistic Psychoanalysis proposed that people have existential needs which stemmed from their prehistoric union with nature and one another being torn away. It can be inferred from this theory that bisexual people committed in a relationship are motivated by their need for relatedness, or the drive for union with another person or persons, which can be achieved in three ways; submission, power and genuine love. Fromm, nonetheless, proposed that it is only through the latter that people will feel at home in their world again (Feist and Feist, 2013). Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI-32), constructed by Funk and Rogge, was used to measure the level of relationship satisfaction of bisexual men and bisexual women in a quality relationship. The researchers used semi-structured interview to determine the reasons for their commitment and challenges in a same-sex bisexual relationship. Prior to the actual interview, the researchers established rapport to put respondents at ease. Research respondents were from Quezon City, Bulacan, and Manila City.

Interview answers were analysed using the Thematic Analysis. After constructing the themes, it were reported to selected few bisexual individual in a same-sex bisexual relationship in order to ascertain the findings. In this study, the researchers learned that no significant difference exists between the level of relationship satisfaction of bisexual men and women in a same-sex bisexual relationship. Mean scores of both group exceed 104.5 which is the cut-off score for determining whether a respondent can be considered as satisfied in a relationship. Measure of relationship satisfaction was particularly used as a qualification, aside from the years of relationship, for determining a quality relationship. Hanley (2018) reported similar results that solidify the findings of this study that sexual orientation did not have any significant effect on relationship satisfaction and that majority of the couples reported satisfactory levels of relationship quality. Several researchers also indicated that relationship satisfaction should be fairly high and stable for securely attached romantic couples (Hadden et al., 2013). Researchers have found that the reasons for commitment of bisexual couples in a same-sex bisexual relationships are comprised of romantic attachment, dreams for the relationship, personal growth throughout the relationship, and their personal standards. In the aspect of romantic attachment, researchers have concluded that bisexual men and women commit in a quality relationship with their same-sex bisexual partner because of the love and affection they have for their partner.

Several studies have found that basic determinants of relationship stability among same-sex couples are love and satisfaction, with psychological barriers to dissolution, such as lack of desirable alternatives (Rith & Diamond, 2013) It can also be inferred from the findings that bisexual men and women commit in a quality relationship with their same-sex bisexual individual because consider their partner as someone who is a constant source of unconditional positive regard. They also signify the established trust and loyalty to their partner, as well as their companionship and relatedness to each other. Further solidifying the researchers’ data, one recent study showed that bisexual individuals opt to engage in a relationship with those who are also bisexuals for the reason that relationship with another sexual minority individual may become an additional support and act as a shield against heterosexists and minority stress (unknown, 2018) and a buffer against negative consequences of discrimination towards bisexuals. (Feinstein, 2016). According to Catruna (1996), support for the relationship particularly during stressful events helps prevent isolation from one’s partner, as well as promotes a sense of connectedness within the couple. Higher degrees of relationship satisfaction was also reported by couples who feel supported by each other (Henderson Levahot, & Simoni, 2009). According to Robert Sternberg (1989), Companionate love is marked by a combination of intimacy and decision components. Long-term relationships where physical attraction has toned down usually has this kind of love. Rith and Diamond (2013) also note that long-term couple tend to show a decline in the frequency of sexual activities over time, although it is more precipitous among same-sex female couples.

Researchers have also found that bisexual men and women commit in a quality relationship with their same-sex bisexual partner because of the desire to achieve the dreams they have for their relationship. In a similar study conducted by Rotosky et al., (2012), moving-in together, disclosing their sexual orientation and relationship to family and friends, and making future plans are salient investments that signifies the emotional investment in a relationship. This study supports the researchers’ data that respondents’ dreams for the future of their relationship are fundamental reasons for commitment in their relationship. Hereck (2006) stated that public aspect of marriage increases the couple’s security and the relationship’s longevity. Legal validation, either through marriage or civil union has been shown to relate to couple satisfaction and long term survival (Mitchell, 2016). Riggle et al., (2016) also noted that a shared commitment to the relationship was perceived as a motivating factor for working continually on their relationship. Researchers’ data also indicate that bisexual men and women commit in a quality relationship with their same-sex bisexual partner because of the increase in their self-esteem since engaging in this kind of relationship. As mentioned by Chaney and Burns-Wortham (2015), there are positive consequences linked to coming out to others, including high self-esteem and overall psychological well-being. Ryan and her colleagues (2010) also stated that family acceptance is associated with positive young adult mental and physical health.

A study conducted by Erol and Orth (2016) demonstrated that individuals with high selfesteem have positive perceptions of their partner’s regard, hence, strengthening relationship well-being. This study also indicate that bisexual men and women commit in a same-sex bisexual relationship because they became more accepting of their gender and sexuality and they have developed a sense of maturity and realized new meaning and purpose. In a study conducted by Rostosky et al., (2010), bisexual individuals noted that embracing their bisexuality allowed them to validate their experience and achieve a more complete sense of self. Their honesty about their bisexual identity was accompanied by a deeper level of selfacceptance. Bisexual individuals also reported that they are more likely to choose a partner based on characteristics other than biological sex, such as personality traits, moral characters, and interest. Researchers also concluded that bisexual men and women commit in a same-sex bisexual relationship because their partner possess the characteristics they look for in a long term partner, their partner are similar to them, and they have differences that they perceive as ‘complementary’. On a similar note, Riggle (2016) stated that couples perceive similarities and differences as “complementary”, which created an acceptance and respect for each other within the relationship, and helped them to appreciate each other and coexist more easily. Dysenforth (2010) stated that similarity contributes to relationship quality because similarity improves relationship functioning and because similar partners share similar responses in daily life.

Several evidences has also reported that show advantages of gender-related similarity in same-sex couples, which include day-to-day communication, support, and negotioation (Rith & Diamond, 2013).

Synthesis In this study, the researchers have found that level of relationship satisfaction of bisexual men and women in a quality relationship have no significant differences. It can be attributed to the fact that society has become more accepting of the LGBT community and the concept of same-sex relationship. LGBT rights are also becoming more frequently asserted. Bisexual men and women commit in a same-sex bisexual relationship because they have established a romantic attachment with their partners. Despite of the challenges they went through, especially the stigma and stereotypes surrounding bisexuality and same-sex relationships, bisexual couples chose to commit in the relationship because they love their significant other. They also work on continually strengthening their relationship because of the loyalty and trust to each other. Bisexual couples also commit to their relationship because of the need for a companion that they can relate to. As time passes by, their relationship has moved through sex, and became more about companionship and being with someone they can spend the rest of their life with. Bisexual couples also reported that their partner provide unconditional positive regard for them. No matter the problems and shortcomings, their partners always stick with them. Love is truly unconditional. Bisexual men and women commit in a same-sex relationship because of the desire to achieve their dreams for their relationship. They are motivated to work on their commitment to

the relationship because they want to undergo civil union and legalize their relationship. They consider marriage as a key to further show the commitment they have for each other. Bisexual couples also wanted to stay committed in their relationship because they want to build a family of their own. Family does not need to only consist of a man, a woman, and their children. They also desire to acquire several properties and business that they could consider as their own in order to have a secure future. This research also demonstrate that bisexual men and women commit in a quality relationship because this relationship made them grow and they have undergone significant changes in their personality. They realize their true meaning and purpose in life since knowing their significant others. Their relationship developed in them a sense of orientation in life. Bisexual individuals in a same-sex bisexual relationship became more expressive of their true self, particularly their sexuality. They became more open to the people around them. Bisexual individuals experienced an increase in their self-esteem and developed a sense of maturity. Bisexual individuals in a quality relationship with their same-sex bisexual partner also discussed how their partners have the emotional characteristics that they look for in an ideal significant other. They also stated that being with a partner who is similar to them in terms of gender and/or personality traits made establishing the relationship relatively easier. On the other hand, differences are also reported as essential since it was treated as though they are complimenting each other.