@article{d0eee22976874e45937ded340a466309,
title = "Gender Conformity, Perceptions of Shared Power, and Marital Quality in Same- and Different-Sex Marriages",
abstract = "Research on gender inequality within different-sex marriages shows that women do more unpaid labor than men, and that the perception of inequality influences perceptions of marital quality. Yet research on same-sex couples suggests the importance of considering how gender is relational. Past studies show that same-sex partners share unpaid labor more equally and perceive greater equity than do different-sex partners, and that lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are less gender conforming than heterosexuals. However, studies have not considered how gender conformity might shape inequalities and marital quality within same- and different-sex unions. In this study, we analyze dyadic data from both spouses in same- and different-sex marriages to explore how sex of spouse and gender conformity influence perceptions of shared power within the relationship, which, in turn, influences marital quality. Results show that greater gender conformity is related to stronger perceptions of shared power in different-sex and male same-sex couples but not in female same-sex couples. Perceptions of shared power are positively associated with marital quality in all union types. Our findings suggest that maintaining hegemonic masculinity and power inequalities may be salient to marriages with men. In female same-sex couples, gender and its relation to power inequalities may carry less meaning.",
keywords = "different-sex couples, gender conformity, marriage, power, same-sex couples",
author = "Pollitt, {Amanda M.} and Robinson, {Brandon A.} and Debra Umberson",
note = "Funding Information: Research on gender inequality within different-sex marriages shows that women do more unpaid labor than men, and that the perception of inequality influences perceptions of marital quality. Yet research on same-sex couples suggests the importance of considering how gender is relational. Past studies show that same-sex partners share unpaid labor more equally and perceive greater equity than do different-sex partners, and that lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are less gender conforming than heterosexuals. However, studies have not considered how gender conformity might shape inequalities and marital quality within same-and different-sex unions. In this study, we analyze dyadic data from both spouses in same-and different-sex marriages to explore how sex of spouse and gender conformity influence perceptions of shared power within the relationship, which, in turn, influences marital quality. Results show that greater gender conformity is related to stronger perceptions of shared power in different-sex and male same-sex couples but not in female same-sex couples. Perceptions of shared power are positively associated with marital quality in all union types. Our findings suggest that maintaining hegemonic AuThORS{\textquoteright} NOTE: This research was supported, in part, by Grant R21AG044585 from the National Institute on Aging (PI, Debra Umberson); Grant P2CHD042849 awarded to the Population Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; and Grant T32 HD007081, Training Program in Population Studies, awarded to the Population Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Amanda M. Pollitt, The University of Texas at Austin, 305 E. 23rd Street, Stop G1800, Austin, TX 78712-1699, USA; e-mail:apollitt@utexas.edu Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2017, {\textcopyright} 2017 by The Author(s).",
year = "2018",
month = feb,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1177/0891243217742110",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "32",
pages = "109--131",
journal = "Gender and Society",
issn = "0891-2432",
publisher = "SAGE Publications Inc.",
number = "1",
}