Do more egalitarian men experience less union dissolution? A couple‐level analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveWe consider whether heterosexual unions in which male partners are more gender egalitarian experience less union dissolution.BackgroundGender revolution theory argues that as men become more egalitarian in their attitudes and behaviors, female partners experience reduced work–family conflict, and couples enjoy more stable partnerships. In contrast, the “flip side” perspective argues that consequences of men's increased egalitarian behavior for their own experience of role incompatibility may counterbalance effects on union stability.MethodAnalyzing a sample of roughly 46,600 women‐years from the British Household Panel Survey and Understanding Society (1993–2019), we estimate random‐intercept and fixed‐effects models of union dissolution. Explanatory variables include, for each partner, measures of egalitarianism in gender role attitudes and weekly housework hours.ResultsOdds of union dissolution are not associated with men's absolute level of egalitarian attitudes, but they are higher when men's attitudes are less egalitarian than their partner's. Neither the absolute number of men's housework hours, nor their share of total housework, is associated with the odds of dissolution.ConclusionsOur findings are not generally supportive of gender revolution theory. Counterbalancing effects may provide an explanation for the findings, as per the flip side approach.ImplicationsTaking a couple‐level perspective advances understanding of the associations between gender egalitarianism and union dissolution.

Nonpossessive caring during the two pandemics

“…Power dynamics can vary, with some relationships appearing more egalitarian than anticipated, and others more hierarchical despite an ostensibly shared nature to the relationship (Ogolsky et al, 2014). Conflict and discrepancy between partners can increase the odds of relational strain if not dissolution, particularly when men hold less egalitarian attitudes than women in cisgender relationships (Raz-Yurovich et al, 2024). Power dynamics, influenced by societal norms and cultural expectations, range from shared to solitary power.…”