Getting married in a highly individualized context: Commitment and gender equality matter

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study examines the roles of commitment and gender equality for marriage formation in a highly individualized and gender‐egalitarian context. Background Marriage is commonly perceived as a more committed form of union than cohabitation. Individualization perspectives propose that this discourages marriage formation, whereas gender perspectives suggest that this is only the case for couples living inegalitarian lives. Method The roles of marriage attitudes and gender equality for marriage formation are studied among 1085 cohabiting men and women born in Sweden in 1968–1980 using the 2003 wave of the Young Adult Panel Study, which is based on a stratified random sample. The authors examine how cohabitants perceive: (1) the level of commitment in cohabitation versus marriage and (2) the division of housework in their current relationship, and link these factors to population register data showing the individuals' likelihood of marrying in 2004–2007. Results Cohabitants are more likely to marry if they believe that marriage indicates relationship seriousness, but less likely if they see a marriage as more difficult to leave than cohabitation. Gender equality, measured as satisfaction with the division of housework, appears to be positively related to marriage formation. Whether perceiving marriage as a particularly committed form of union is more positive for marriage formation among gender‐equal couples remains unclear, as the direction of the findings varies and statistical power is low. Conclusion Even in a highly individualized context, cohabitants seek certain forms of commitment through marriage. Gender equality plays a role, but needs further investigation.

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