"And the blurring of traditional gender roles appears to have a positive effect. Lynn Prince Cooke, a sociology professor at the University of Kent in England, has found that American couples who share employment and housework responsibilities are less likely to divorce compared with couples where the man is the sole breadwinner."
We think this increase in marital stability should be considered good news. However, it doesn't appear to be positive news for those who continue to claim that a woman's place is in the home, or for women who have difficulty giving up their gatekeeping role at home, or for men who have an expectation that they should be the only one bringing home the bacon.
There are probably a lot of different reasons why the changing roles in marriage are helping to lower the divorce rates. Fewer financial problems and better communication were two factors that made our marriage stronger when Bob was a stay-at-home dad.
Tara Parker-Pope noted "The rate peaked at 23 divorces per 1,000 couples in the late 1970s, but has since dropped to fewer than 17 divorces per 1,000 couples. Today, the statistics show that typically, the more economic independence and education a woman gains, the more likely she is to stay married. And in states where fewer wives have paid jobs, divorce rates tend to be higher, according to a 2009 report from the Center for American Progress."
Since financial pressures are one of the main causes of divorce, the decisions you two make regarding employment scenarios needs to be based on what makes sense for both of you. Realize too, that through the years, circumstances will probably change and your decisions will need to be reevaluated.
Researchers Discover the Key to Happier Marriages and Lower Divorce Rates originally appeared on About.com Marriage on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 00:38:32.
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