Marriage

Differences Between Modern &
Traditional Marriages
Our concept of marriage today is different from what it was a hundred years ago.
The rise of feminism and the sexual revolution of the 1960s redefined gender roles
in marriage. Women entering the work force in significant numbers changed the
economic realities of marriage. The definition of marriage was re-examined when
divorce became socially acceptable and gay rights were established. As women
claimed decision-making rights in their marriages and men took on some of the
responsibilities of child-rearing, modern marriages became more egalitarian.
The Economics of Marriage

Traditionally women were financially dependent on their husbands, who were the
sole wage-earners in the family. All financial assets were owned exclusively by the
male who doled out housekeeping money as he saw fit. If lower-income families
needed the additional income from a working wife, her salary was handed over to
the husband. Women married for financial security and to have a provider for their
children. In modern marriages most women no longer marry for economic reasons;
they are better educated, pursue well-paying careers and are financially
independent.
Gender Roles
In traditional marriages the division of responsibilities was clearly designated by
gender. The husband worked outside the home and was responsible for the family
financially while his wife was solely responsible for taking care of the home:
shopping, cooking, cleaning and raising the children. In modern marriages the
husband and wife share responsibilities. Some wives might even earn a larger
income than their spouses. Most modern husbands participate in the care of the
children, including changing diapers as well as possibly taking a paternity care
leave from work to stay home full time with the kids.
Freedom of Choice
Traditional marriages locked the spouses into their predefined roles without any
opportunity to allow for individual choice. Married women were expected to fulfill
their role as homemaker and had to stifle any career ambitions or frustrations they
might have had. Modern marriages allow for individual preferences. The spouses
are considered equal partners and the women have their share of power and
control in decision-making for the family.
Traditional Gender Roles in Marriage
The traditional gender roles of men and women play a large part in marriage and
family dynamics. Generally speaking, gender roles are set forth by society, but they
can change as the times change. In the United States, the gender roles of both men
and women in marriage have changed greatly over the centuries. The economy has
also had a large affect on gender roles.
History
When immigrants founded and settled in the New World, they brought their
established gender roles with them. European settlers added to these original
gender roles when they began farming and setting up both family units and towns.
At this time, the wife was considered the caregiver and the husband was relied on
to support his family.
Women's Role
Traditionally, the wife works a part-time or full-time job until she has children; at that
point, she leaves behind her job or career to stay at home and raise her kids. In
most marriages, most household responsibilities fall on the wife's shoulders,
including cooking and cleaning. However, many women dislike this aspect of their
marriage and feel angry about taking on all of the household responsibilities.
Men's Role
In a marriage, and in a family, the man's traditional role is to provide for the family,
earning money by working a full-time job. Men are expected to provide information
and guidance relating to sports, careers and financial matters. Unfortunately, this
role of implied power has given men the assumed personality traits of being
aggressive and controlling, as well.
Changes
As more women entered the workforce in the 20th century, decisions that once
were solely the husband's began to be made by both husband and wife, together.
Additionally, current gender roles stress working together in terms of child care,
household responsibilities and earning money. In same-sex relationships or
marriages, and in the case of a couple who live together but aren't married,
household chores and responsibilities tend to be shared more often than in man-
woman marriages.
Decisions
However a couple decides to live, one thing is certain---in order to have a happy,
healthy marriage, both parties must agree on gender roles. Whether a couple sticks
with the traditional gender roles of the 1950s, where the men worked while the
women spent their days at home, or goes with modern gender roles, when most
responsibilities are shared, both the husband and wife have to view gender roles
the same way.
Husband & Wife Relationships in the
1940s
The 1940s were a decade marked by World War II, big band music, styles like the
zoot suit and an increase in movies and other entertainment as morale boosters for
the war effort. Historical events and cultural trends helped to shape the
relationships between husbands and wives during this decade. The "nuclear" family
was the context in which most spouses operated, and tradition was very important.
The Traditional Family

During the 1940s, most husbands and wives related to each other as members of
the traditional family unit. This meant that husbands were the breadwinners and
leaders of the household, usually working outside the home. Wives stayed home to
tend to domestic matters, such as cleaning, cooking and raising children. The
traditional view was that wives were helpers for their husbands. This stable,
predictable union was the cornerstone for the community.
War Effort
World War II was in full swing in the 1940s. This meant that many husbands were
absent from the home due to military service. Since this left numerous job positions
open, there was a dramatic increase in women in the work field. This was is stark
contrast to the previous lifestyle of women working exclusively in the home. When
the war was over, this left many married couples with the task of adjusting to
"normal" life once again. Many husbands were markedly different after seeing other
parts of the world and facing battle. Many wives also were different after getting a
taste of the workplace. Couples were left with the options of renegotiating the
marital roles within the home or simply returning to the previous traditional style of
pre-war life.
Divorce
Divorce was dramatically less common in the 1940s as compared to modern
statistics. The Vital Statistics division of the Census Bureau first began to record
marriage and divorce statistics in the 1940s. The number of divorces rose each
year between 1940 and 1946 and then dropped each year between 1947 and
1949. marital conflicts were usually handled within the home and kept private.
Children
Husbands and wives of the 1940s began having children at a younger age on
average. Therefore, most spouses learned to relate to each other in the context of
parenting together early on. Couples had more children on average as well, as birth
control methods were significantly limited. The return of military personnel also
helped to fuel the "Baby Boom" of the 1940s.

Marriage

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Differences Between Modern &

The Economics of Marriage

The Traditional Family

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