Equality in Marriage, Marital Satisfaction, and Life Satisfaction: A Comparative Analysis of Preretired and Retired Men and Women in Israel

Abstract

This study examined whether men's and women's retirement has a differential impact on equality in marital life, with emphasis on two areas: power relations (as reflected in decision making) and the division of household tasks (feminine, masculine, and general). In addition, the study explored whether equality in marriage is differentially related to marital satisfaction and satisfaction with life among preretired and retired couples. The sample consisted of 469 men and women from Israel, of whom 267 were retired and 202 were approaching retirement. On the whole, the impact of retirement on equality in marriage was found to be similar for both men and women, that is, equality in performance of feminine tasks increased, whereas equality in general tasks usually declined after retirement. Moreover, there was no progression toward equality in masculine tasks after retirement. With respect to power relations, major household decisions became more equal after retirement regardless of which partner retired. However, no appreciable differences were found between retired and preretired respondents with respect to minor decisions and decisions about spending time. The results also revealed that equality in major decisions and in performance of masculine tasks correlated with both areas of satisfaction among preretired and retired respondents. However, marital satisfaction was related to equality in minor decisions and in decisions about spending time, as well as to equality in carrying out general tasks only among the retired respondents.