Examination of problem solving skills of emerging adults in romantic relationships in the context of gender

The aim of this research is to examine the romantic relationship experiences and problem-solving skills of individuals in the emerging adulthood and to make evaluations in the context of gender. In this study, in which the qualitative research method was adopted, emerging adults living in Antalya were interviewed. Participants were reached with the snowball technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 emerging adults determined by the purposeful sampling technique. Research criteria; participants are between the ages of 18-26, having experience of romantic relationships. The study was conducted with 30 participants. A semi-structured questionnaire was used in the interview. As a result of the research, problem solving skills, root family relations and gender roles of emerging adults regarding their romantic relationship experiences were reached. It has been understood that the emerging adults interviewed have two types of problems that continue in the short and long term, in the romantic relationships they experience. While it was observed that long-term problems were related to social acceptance, it was understood that short-term problems were caused by the effort of individuals to be the dominant party in the flow of daily life. It has been understood that within the relationship dynamics, women and men are equipped with various codes to maintain a relationship in the socialization process. These codes are extracted from the discourses of the participants. At the same time, although the participants stated that the gender roles are not correct, it was seen that they made living with those roles a part of their life in practice.