Gender Roles, Perception of Equity and Satisfaction in a Relationship

Bartolac, Andreja. (2010). Gender Roles, Perception of Equity and Satisfaction in a Relationship. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Kamenov, Željka].

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Abstract

Today, women have assuredly proved themselves in all areas causing a social status, from education to science and governance. However, this has not abolished traditional attitudes regarding gender roles of men (breadwinners) and women (mothers, housewives). The aim of this study was to determine whether there is consensus between the partners in the implementation of the gender attitudes and roles associated with partnership/ family, or whether these roles are marked by relatively even distribution of partnership investments in everyday family life. At the same time we wanted to check the connection between these variables with relationship satisfaction and perception of fairness between partners. The study included 145 couples who had completed six questionnaires: The scales of ideal and actual gender roles, Scale of perceived fairness in the marriage, the estimates of relative investment of partner in the distribution of finances, housework and family decision-making, together with socio–demographic questionnaire. The results showed that women have more egalitarian attitudes toward gender roles. Regarding role performance, the results pointed to the greater traditionalism. Women still contribute more in housework, doing routine or traditionally female jobs, while men are engaged in more periodical or men's jobs. Although the financial obligations and decisions within the family are often shared, the distribution of family budgets and decisions are still gender-regulated. Both partners are most satisfied when the distribution of all types of investment and family responsibilities are equal. Satisfaction with decision making is the most significant predictor of overall relationship satisfaction in both partners. The experience of equity in a relationship can be best predicted by decision making and allocation of finances among men, and distribution of household tasks, and satisfaction with this distribution in women.

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