Author:

Keywords:

economic theory of marriage, familialism, female employment, marital satisfaction, sex role traditionalism, Social Sciences, Economics, Family Studies, Business & Economics, 1499 Other Economics, 1502 Banking, Finance and Investment, 3801 Applied economics

Abstract:

Using panel data of Dutch first marriages with children (N Time 1=646, N Time 2=386), the relevance of economic and cultural factors in understanding marital satisfaction is examined. The sample was middle-aged and the average marital duration was 17 years (at Time 1). Besides, couples mainly represent single earner and main-earner households. Our results demonstrate that both economic and cultural factors are valid in understanding marital satisfaction. However, whereas cultural characteristics are more important explaining spousal marital satisfaction at Time 1, economic indicators are important predicting change in marital satisfaction. An interaction effect between cultural and economic factors was found as well. Husbands’ familialism moderates the effect of women’s employment on women’s marital satisfaction at Time 1.