Taken together, the studies in this special issue provide an overview of the range of observational tasks currently being used by scientists interested in understanding adolescent romantic relationships. Generally, the studies show a significant degree of similarity in their emphasis on conflict resolution. There was more variability in how long researchers observed couples’ interactions. It is clear from the studies that observational researchers must make several important decisions when determining how to code or interpret adolescent romantic interaction. These decisions should be based on the conceptual framework and specific research questions being investigated. Most coding systems of observational romantic partners’ interactions are conceptually and pragmatically rooted in parent-adolescent or marital coding systems. Adolescent romantic relationship coding systems must also incorporate elements uniquely important to adolescent romantic relationships, such as the evaluation of power, downplaying disagreements, and conflict avoidance. The studies published in this special issue, which focuses on directly observed interaction, provide new understanding of adolescents’ romantic relationships. The integration of these findings in this article address continuity and discontinuities of family relationships in adolescent romantic relationships; descriptive findings about the nature of adolescent romantic relationships; and gender differences in adolescent romantic couples. 49 references