Urbanization, Secularization, and Roles of the Professional's Wife

Abstract

Through the use of Parson's pattern variables, hypotheses are derived for testing the wife's socialization in terms of role acquisition and formation among four sample approximations to a professional's wife typification (urban-rural, sacred-secular). Correlational analysis is then used as an exploratory tap for sources of structural formation of wife roles. Self-role interaction is interpreted to be a function of social structural limitationsspecifically, pattern variable role expectations. In general, this interpretation is upheld by the findings. Further, indications are given that the urban-rural, sacred-secular dimensions are separate, and, more importantly, additive indices. One of the most important features of socialization in an organization is the learning of occupational roles. An individual's occupational role(s) may become so internalized as to become a part of his personal make-up. A clear example of such socialization is Kuhn's study of Amish and non-Amish culture (Burgess, 1963). By generalizing from general to occupational role theory one can see how the impress of the job may color a man's life and may become an integral part of his personality (Caplow, 1964; Slocum, 1959).1 If a job can have such a part in the socialization process of a man, what then can be said about his wife? Does her husband's job also affect her personality and social roles? More importantly, assuming that the wife's life is molded by her husband's job, do certain occupations show similar socialization processes? The sociological literature dealing with both problems is virtually non-existent. The literature dealing with the subject is at best clinical (Whyte, 1956; Smigel, 1963). At another level of analysis this paper will deal with a sacred versus a secular profession. It is taken for granted by many sociologists that religion has a peculiarly unique effect upon religious adherents (Lenski; 1961). Furthermore, these same social scientists assume that the minister or priest, as a religious lead-