Financial Arrangements made by Husbands and Wives: Findings of a Survey

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Abstract
The paper reports on some exploratory Australian research into financial arrangements made by husbands and wives. The paper first surveys briefly the conclusions of sociological literature on the relationship between marital power on the one hand and family income and the employment status of the wife on the other. The methodology used by the author in her own survey is explained, in particular the reasons why husbands and wives were interviewed simultaneously but separately. Management and control aspects of financial arrangements are explained and elaborated on because of their central importance to the topic. One of the more significant findings was the prevalence of arrangements in which wives managed family finances as against the small number of wives who could be said to have had overall control of finances. Another conclusion of the importance of both the income level of the husband and whether or not the wife had paid employment as factors affecting financial arrangements of couples. The paper concludes with some implications for tax and social security policies.

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