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Abstract
The concepts of “gift” and “debt” have frequently been subject to sociological discussion. This paper develops a theoretical view of couple relationships following the death of a parent as involving elements of indebtedness to the deceased parent and “giving” within the couple dyad. Illustrations of the theoretical dynamics are drawn from in-depth interviews conducted with couples in which one or both of the partners had experienced the death of a parent. The illustrations focus on the roles of exchange, reciprocity, and responsibility with relation to the parent death as simultaneously “gifts” and “debts.”