HUSBAND AND WIFE ROLES The Concept of the Marital Role 1.

Ideal Role The socially prescribed role 2. Perceived Role What the individual believes he/she should do 3. Performed Role- What the individual actually does These three elements are integrated and compatible. Married couples adjust to one another on the basis of the roles.

Basic factors affecting marital roles in general 1. Historical Setting or the social and economic situation at a particular time 2. The socio-economic status of the family 3. Unforeseen situations and special circumstances 4. Personal Aspirations Many marital roles are sequential as marriage continues over the years. Marital roles are reciprocal or complementary. Roles change over time.

Traditional Husband and Wife Roles Role Differentiation generally persists among Filipino couples. The male is responsible for the familys relationships with the outside world. The female is responsible for the familys relationship in the internal world. The concept of Instrumental-Expressive Character

Instrumental Character Traits (Masculine): competitiveness, self-confidence, logic and nonemotionality Instrumental Character Traits (Feminine): warmth, sensitivity to the needs of others and the ability to express tender feelings Can be explained biologically Males (Physical Superiority): Are suited to more mechanical tasks, necessary for earning a living Females (Child Bearing): Are meant for child care and housekeeping Can be explained socio-culturally Masculine and feminine behavior is not inherited but learned or acquired socially. Majority of the Filipino couples follow the traditional division of labor or task allocation.

Perceived Role HUSBAND - Economic in nature, thus, is the breadwinner of the family WIFE Loving and loyal Responsible for keeping the marriage intact by her patience, submission and virtue Diligent housekeeper Family treasurer

Cultural conditioning and socialization practices have promoted continuities in gender role differentiation. The impact of the family on gender role socialization is complemented by the school, peer group, culture and mass media.

Changing Role of the Wife Role differences between husband and wife is changing in many contemporary societies. Possible roles open to married women in the modern society: Wife/Mother Role Companion Role Partner Role In the Philippines, the above roles of modern women are no longer mutually exclusive. As a partner to her husband, the Filipino wifef is co-manager and family treasurer. Many wives have become equal partners to their husbands in the economic support of the family by engaging in cottage industries and other small business. Despite the normative idea that wives should stay at home and care for the family, many have actually joined in the labor force mainly for economic reasons.

2 Kinds of Families: Dual-Earner Families: Both Husband and wife have a fulltime job and both contribute to the household in money and tasks. Dual-Career Families: Both parents have a strong commitment in terms of identity, time and resources to the lifetime development of their careers.

Economic Activities of Married Women: 1.) Work in organized labor market -that is, work for wage or salary and for profit in regular business -regular work hours outside the house -incompatible work and mother roles 2.) Work in the traditional labor market -that is unpaid family labor in ones own farm or business -could be done inside or near the house -more compatible with home activities 3.) Home production and child care It is in rural areas where more wives work to augment the family income. There are lesser working wives in urban areas. The dual burden of employment and house management, explain why working women marry later than non-working women. Employment of the wife does not change the pattern of division of labor in the family. Although more and more wives are entering the labor force, the traditional gender role perception persists. For those who can afford a katulong or yaya, this is a predictor of labor force. On the other hand, due to traditional gender-role ideologies, women are subjected to discrimination thru gender-typing, low wages, poor working conditions and other unfair hiring, promotion and personnel policies.

The Husbands Role The husband is the economic provider, general handyman around the house, symbolic household head and representative of the family in the community. His chief role is to support his family. He is accorded all the comforts of home as the wife can provide, including that of sexual satisfaction. If sometimes he solicits the favor of other women, such occasional flings are tolerated by the society. He is censured by the society if he deserts or neglects his family. While the Filipino husband may occasionally help his wife in home chores, he is not expected to do so. Nevertheless, whether husbands do help their wives in household chores or not, the major responsibility for homemaking still falls in the hands of the wife. Domesticity on the part of the husband is limited lest he be branded as under the saya ng asawa.