Attitude toward Marriage Roles Among Chinese and American College Students

Abstract
Data on attitudes toward marriage role were obtained from Chinese and American students in 1962 and 1984. Jacobson's (1950, 1952) Marriage-Role Attitude Scale was used. Results supported both hypotheses: Compared to American students in 1962, American students in 1984 held a more equalitarian attitude toward marriage role; in 1984, compared to American students, Chinese students held a more male-dominant attitude toward marriage role. The results also revealed some other interesting facts. Women in both countries and at both times held a more equalitarian viewpoint. This sex difference in marriage-role attitude among Americans was definitely stronger in 1984 than in 1962. Also, contrary to expectation, Chinese women held a more equalitarian attitude than Chinese men, suggesting an unsurfaced progressive nature among young, educated, Chinese women.