Реферат: Changes In Women And Marriage Essay Research

Many married women report although their role has changed when

they entered the work force, men primary have kept doing what they

have always been doing, thus, putting additional burdens on women

(Gleick). ?However it seems that it is not the increased workload

itself but rather the increased inequality that makes mothers less

satisfied with their marriages than nonmothers? (Unger & Crawford, pg.

375). Men are making some progress though, in taking on household

tasks, including child care, but women still shoulder most of the

burden in families.

One of the most likely reasons for the decline in marital

success is an increase in what persons expect of marriage. The levels

of intimacy, emotional support, companionship, and sexual

gratification that people believe they should get from marriage differ

because of the breakdown of what it means to be husband or wife.

Whereas, until recently, the rights and obligations of

spouse?s were prescribed culturally and fairly well understood by just

about everyone, they have become a matter for regulation in the

individual marriages for some this has led to discord and

disappointment (Gleick, p. 26).

Altogether then, cultural changes related to sex roles would

seem to produce different expectations of marriage. A woman who has

supported herself to the age of 25 or above and has lived on her own

until that age has had time to get more education, be exposed more to

a variety of view points and experiences, and therefore, is more

likely to expect a peer relationship with her husband. ?All in all,

she is more likely than a younger woman to enter marriage with a well

developed sense of self worth and broad horizons for her life? (Unger

& Crawford, pg. 364). Compared with a woman who marries younger – she

is more likely to expect a more traditional relationship in which