Giddens asserts that intimate social relationships have become 'democratised', so that the bond between partners – even within a marriage – has little to do with external laws, regulations or social expectations, but is based on the internal understanding between two people – a trusting bond based on emotional communication.
Giddensi järgi on intiimsuhted 'demokratiseerunud', nii et (isegi abielusisesel) partneritevahelisel sidemel on vähe pistmist väliste seaduste, regulatsioonide või ühiskondlike ootustega, vaid see põhineb kahe inimese sisemisel teineteise mõistmisel – see on usalduslik side, mis rajaneb emotsionaalsel suhtlusel.