Marriage role expectations of divorced men and women

Abstract

Marriage role expectations were assessed by the Marriage Role Expectations Instrument mailed to divorced men, divorced women, first-married women and first-married men. A convenience sample was obtained from Solo Parents in Blacksburg, Virginia, classes at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University campuses in Blacksburg and Reston, Virginia, and a church directory. The responses of 70 divorced persons and 128 first-married persons were obtained and compared on the basis of their traditional-equalitarian conceptualizations in six areas of role behavior--authority patterns, household tasks, childcare, personal characteristics, social participation, and finance and employment. In addition, the expectations of 26 divorced men and 44 divorced women were compared in the categories of incorporation of stepchildren, involving a new spouse in previous financial responsibilities, and acceptance of a former spouse or relatives.

Divorced females were significantly more equalitarian than divorced males on the subscales of authority patterns and finances and employment and on the total score. Married females were significantly more equalitarian than married males on the subscales of childcare, social participation and finances and employment. Divorced females were significantly more equalitarian than married females on the total score and three subscales. Childcare was the only subscale on which divorced persons gave less equalitarian responses than married persons. Divorced persons were undecided concerning involvement of a new spouse in financial debts and acceptance of a former spouse. They were in favor of incorporation of stepchildren into a new marriage.