“Me” and “We”: How Expectant Cohabitors Talk about Economic Difficulty

Abstract

“Me” and “we” talk, as indicators of outcome considerations, is examined for expectant, unmarried cohabitors (N = 36). Grounded in social exchange and interdependence theories, “me” talk reflects individualism while “we” talk reflects collectivism (e.g., outcome consideration beyond self). Having interviewed cohabitors about effects of the difficult economy, we coded discussions for “me” and “we” talk revealing four groups: (1) Exclusively “We” (61.1%); (2) Primarily “We” (25%); (3) Equal “Me” and “We” (11.1%); and (4) Exclusively “Me” (<3%). Implications for therapeutic interventions that teach the importance and value of “we” talk in interdependent relationships are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Interdependence
• social exchange
• “we”
• “me”
• unmarried
• expectant
• cohabitors
• difficult economy