Scientists found that the role of the main breadwinner in the family threatens the male psyche – Pskov Information Agency

21:30, 19 August 2016, PAI

Scientists from the University of Connecticut found that if a man takes the responsibility for the financial well-being of the family, his own health and well-being are compromised. The report with the results of the study will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association (August 20-23). With theses research is available on the official conference website, and briefly about their reports RNS.

 
 

The study authors used data on married couples collected by the United States in the course of surveys conducted between 1997 and 2011. The data included information on age, education, number of working hours and the ratio of income of the spouses. Scientists have found that worse indicators of health and psychological well-being in men were reported in those years when they were the only breadwinners in the family.

 
 

«Much of what we know about gender roles in the family, focuses our attention on disadvantaged women – explained Christine Munshi, a sociology professor at the University of Connecticut, one of the study’s authors. – For example, they often become victims of domestic violence and still do most of the housework. Our study contributes to the understanding that gender expectations and harm to men, too. It is assumed that the man should be the breadwinner of the family, although its financial support, without (or almost without) the help of other family members has a negative impact. »

 
 

On the women’s role as the main earner has the opposite effect: a significant contribution to women’s financial well-being of the family can improve its psychological state. According to the authors, this difference is due to the existing social expectations. “The man who makes more money than his wife, sees it as a duty, and is worried about maintaining their status. A woman applies to making money as an opportunity or choice. It can be proud of their position, without worrying about what others will say, if it fails to preserve it “, – explained Munshi

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According to the researchers, the results suggest that the division of responsibilities of making money is beneficial to the psychological state and health of both spouses.