The Art of Staying Together: A Couple's Guide to Intimacy and Respect

Psychotherapist Broder, director of Philadelphia's Rational-Emotive Institute, here does for couples what he did for singles in The Art of Living Single. In his inimitable and provocative way, he urges individuals to consult their own needs, not to conform to externally imposed standards of what constitutes a ``proper'' relationship. First, Broder discusses the foundation of lasting love relationships: without passion, he says, a relationship is merely platonic; without comfort, it is destined to burn itself out. Next, he shows couples how to overcome initial obstacles, set ground rules and communicate better. Later sections tackle troubled relationships and such issues as jealousy, monogamy vs. ``synogamy'' (Broder's term for any relationship that is not monogamous), whether to become parents, and ending a relationship with dignity. The material is fresh, even controversial at times, as in the section on the potential benefits of outside affairs. Broder, fittingly, encourages readers to study only those sections that apply, and emphasizes that his goal is ``to help you to understand your choices--not to moralize.'' (June)