Recent changes in sex-role ideology among divorced men and women: some possible causes and implications

Data obtained during two Virginia Slims American Women's Opinion Polls in 1974 (N = 2,922 Fs & 958 Ms) & 1979 (N = 2,960 Fs & 984 Ms) indicate substantial support for the hypothesis that divorced Ms & Fs differ from their married counterparts in sex-role definitions. The increase in differences between men & women during this time period is linked to the increased divorce rate, which in turn is hypothesized to be a result of the failure of value changes to keep pace with economic & social structural changes in US society. Implications for explanations of marital instability, remarriage rates, & the effects of sexual inequality on family structure are discussed, with suggestions provided for further research. 3 Tables, 14 References. K. Hyatt