Midlife Marriage: Sex Differences in Evaluation and Perspectives
- 1 May 1976
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in International Journal of Aging & Human Development
- Vol. 7 (2) , 129-135
- https://doi.org/10.2190/efw9-d95l-dha8-5040
Abstract
Perceptions of marital relations are examined in a white middle and lower-middle class sample representing three life stages: newly weds, middle-aged parents facing the empty nest, and persons about to retire. Descriptions of spouses are analyzed in terms of positive/negative evaluations and the respective importance given to role and interpersonal components of the marital relationship. Middle-aged respondents were shown to place greater emphasis on role performance than did the remaining groups, and middle-aged women gave the least positive evaluations of marriage. Midlife marital satisfaction is examined in relationship to affect toward children, socioeconomic status, value orientations, and life satisfaction.Keywords
This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit:
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- Transition to the Empty NestArchives of General Psychiatry, 1972
- Social Status and Interpersonal Patterns Among Married CouplesSocial Forces, 1970
- Satisfaction with Various Aspects of Marriage over the Life Cycle: A Random Middle Class SampleJournal of Marriage and Family, 1970
- Marital Satisfaction over the Family Life CycleJournal of Marriage and Family, 1970