Economic Dependence in Marriage and Husbands' Midlife Health : Testing Three Possible Mechanisms

TitleEconomic Dependence in Marriage and Husbands' Midlife Health : Testing Three Possible Mechanisms
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsSpringer, KW
JournalGender and Society
Volume24
Issue3
Pagination378-401
KeywordsAdult children, Demographics, Income, Other, Women and Minorities
Abstract

Prior research suggests that midlife husbands have worse health when they earn less than their wives; however the mechanism(s) for this relationship have not been evaluated. In this study, the author analyzes 1,319 heterosexual married couples from the Health and Retirement Study to explore three theoretically grounded mechanisms. The author begins by assessing two well-established family relations theories (economic resource and marital dissatisfaction) to explore the mediating effect of marital power and relationship quality. The author then draws from gender relations theory, multiple masculinities literature, and cognitive dissonance research to test the possibility of a male breadwinner mechanism. The results demonstrate that family relations theories are insufficient explanations but provide strong support for the male breadwinner mechanism. Specifically, being the secondary earner is harmful for the health of highest-income men--who historically have the strongest expectation of male breadwinning. These findings suggest that stereotypes about male breadwinning can be dangerous for men's health.

DOI10.1177/0891243210371621
Endnote Keywords

Families/family life/Masculinity/Husbands/Sex roles/stereotypes/WOMEN/income

Endnote ID

23400

Citation Key7479