WOMEN'S VIEWS ON MARRIAGE AS A PRIORITY I. INT

WOMEN'S VIEWS ON MARRIAGE AS A PRIORITY

The role of women in the United States has undergone a major transformation over the past four decades brought about by changes in their economic and social status. Women are less likely to marry than ever before, according to the findings of Rutgers University National Marriage Project (1999). Findings of the Census Bureau concur; according to the Census Bureau, Americans are postponing marriage. The decline of marriage as the number one priority of women may be due in large part to the greater amount of alternatives today's women have. Studies show that women are placing increased value on autonomy and focusing on ways to reach this goal (Berend, 2000, p. 935). Alternatively, studies have shown that this attitude may also be responsible for a decline in child and adult well-being. Understanding these trends begins with a comprehensive understanding of women's views of marriage.

Statement of the Problem & Study Purpose

The literature has reported that divorce is increasing and the prioritizing of marriage is declining. Consequences of this trend are noted and possible reasons are reported. Studies have tended to focus on a young population, ages 20 to 30, and research regarding women at different ages is lacking. Considering the important ramifications of the possible decline of the marriage institution, a study investigating whether this is a prominent view for a broader age range of women, is needed.

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erican teenagers is rated as less healthy, less cared for, and less prepared for life than any other generation (American Values). Women's Current Views on Marriage Though the pitfalls of declined marriages have been listed, others contend that it would be more beneficial to become aware of what current views are and work with this trend rather than insisting that today's views are negative for children and need to be reversed (American Values). Griffith (1997) reports on a movement by the National Organization for Women (NOW). In response to a men's group urging men to be more responsible to wives and children (the Promise Keepers), leaders of the NOW group state that this is aimed at subordinating women in and out of the home. The current NOW model of marriage includes a full and equal partnership, lacking all submission of females to male authority. Other women argue against this reaction and support the Promise Keeper's movement. Thus there is a debate between two groups of women, the orthodox and the revisionist feminists. Conservative feminists state that liberal feminists ignore the reality and needs of the average woman, and liberal feminists argue that conservatives ignore the varieties of female experience. Th

Category: Psychology - W