Study: Women Wear The Pants In Marriage

Wives, On Average, Wield More Decision-Making Power, Research Finds

(WebMD)  Men may rule the world but women rule the roost, according a new study that shows women wield considerably more decision-making power than men within marriages.

Researchers found that wives, on average, displayed more power than their husbands during problem-solving discussions, regardless of who brought up the topic of discussion.

And it's not simply a case of women talking more than men.

"It wasn't just that the women were bringing up issues that weren't being responded to, but that the men were actually going along with what they said," researcher Megan Murphy, assistant professor of human development and family studies at Iowa State University, says in a news release. "They were communicating more powerful messages, and men were responding to those messages by agreeing or giving in."

"There's been research that suggests that's a marker of a healthy marriage — that men accept influence from their wives," Murphy says.

Women Have Marriage Power

The study involved 72 married couples from Iowa who were observed and
evaluated while they discussed problems in their relationship of their own choosing. The average age of the participants was about 33 and average length of marriage was seven years.

Researchers videotaped the discussions and then coded the couple's behaviors according to a widely used interaction rating system.

The results showed that women appeared to have more power during the
discussions in the form of domineering and dominant behaviors than their husbands, regardless of who brought up the topic.

Researchers say the findings contradict the current societal power
structure.

"This study at least suggests that the marriage is a place where women can exert some power," researcher David Vogel, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Iowa State, says in the release. "Whether or not it's because of changing societal roles, we don't know. But they are, at least, taking responsibility and power in these relationships."

The study appears in the Journal of Counseling Psychology.

[athomedad3]

Submit to your wives and your marriage will be better.

[eggy1620]

%u201C. . . evaluated while they discussed problems in their relationship. . . %u201C This phrase speaks volumes about the %u201Cstudy%u201D and the researchers %u201Cconclusions%u201D. Women %u201Crule the roost%u201D is absolutely incorrect to draw from the data. The only reliable (i.e. repeatable) conclusion to draw is that women are focused on relationships more so than men, not that women %u201Cwear the pants.%u201D What sensationalist garbage. Shame on CBS. This is what happens when journalists try to interpret scientific data, each and every time.

[shoujoboy-2009]

I'm 6'3, 225 pounds with just a little flab and yup, my wife is the "boss." I've got no problem with that and her controlling the physical intimacy in our relationship. If men would just submit to their wives they'd realize how wonderful their marriage could be.

With so many unhappy and a divorce rate of 50%, why not try it.
Posted by AthomeDad3 at 12:36 PM : Jul 11, 2007


Sweet Jesus maybe this is why I'm single. Just "submit to their wives"? I wasn't aware that submission was necessary for a wonderful marriage. If I'm wrong on that one then maybe I'll just choose to stay forever single.

[athomedad3]

I'm 6'3, 225 pounds with just a little flab and yup, my wife is the "boss." I've got no problem with that and her controlling the physical intimacy in our relationship. If men would just submit to their wives they'd realize how wonderful their marriage could be.

With so many unhappy and a divorce rate of 50%, why not try it.

[michellem99-2009]

I wont tell him to go hunt for his keys he helps me alot. I can alway go back to what I am doing. He don't misplace that often.
Now women should not get the lazy guy a beeah oh beer. HE,GET ME A BEER. SHE. GET YERSELF. YESSAH.

[erasmus6]

MichelleM99

I have the same problem with my husband. He can never find his keys either or his wallet, shoes, important papers......

I used to help him look for his stuff for years, but not anymore, I got tired of it.

I always tell him now if he wants to find something he is going to have to look for it himself and while he's looking see if he can find his BRAIN while he's at it!

[shoujoboy-2009]

They wouldn't be making decisions if they were doing what they should be doing... making me dinner.

Seriously guys... that is a joke, put the rocks down.

[michellem99-2009]

When you have a male friend who has health issues we MUST help him. My room mate is a dear but he will be forgetful now he is 55. He I can't find my keys. Me. where did you lay them. He I put them where I always do. Me if you did they be there. He Give yer kids. Me I dutiful hand my keys. He hates my keyring. I hunt about for his and there were Where he laid them. SO I go hand them to him. He where you find them. Me where you lift them. I have to 'memer for him and that is hard if does not tell me. That key thing happens alot. Being legally blind is why I try.

[ipitombi]

Another media load of ***

[michellem99-2009]

WHEN WAS WEB MD A MALE'S BOARD. Any why us women have men friends.Sense I use computer and he don't so Therefore HE KNOWS PAWS OFF. I feel each gender and their are 2 are different. Women have to . and women can multi task better than men. Maybe we are programmed that way. Men have a one track mind. You know who you are. I can be blant when needed to be. That study is full of holes. He does one thing at a time. We don't.

[rshoff2]

Honestly though. It takes both men and women to create and manage life in the world around us. Why is the media trying to separate the strengths we offer together? This 'who wears the pants' topic is yet another attempt to be divisive. As humans, we need to appreciate the strengths of both genders and all people.

[rshoff2]

Women nag; Men give in, or find a way out.

[michellem99-2009]

I am 52. I never married. I have a male friend. Yer worried about us women wearing pants. Yer ever seen a man in a dress. I have. Yer want to wear the pants. I will wear my jeans and they are women's. We get along and have been for 24 yrs. We don't agree on everything. he is and I am and that means 2 households. Gents I am the computer user and my male friend is not. So male issues I share his issues as well.There are 2 genders. Someone don't like women. We have our space. Yer mate needs that space or yer well know. I am legally blind os thinks work out.

[jimfinster]

erasmus6:

"Yes Dear" is the key to marital survival. Note I did not say bliss. I am no dummy.

[erasmus6]

jimfinster

"You could be right:)"

OH, SURE! You're just saying that to shut me up! hahaha
Isn't that what some of the men are saying, they just agree with women so they will shut up?

Can't even have a good fight anymore!

[godofredo29]

Women certainly wear the pants on the WebMD men's health message boards. They are all moderated by women and other female lurkers (e.g., "GeorgiaGail") routinely offer advice they are clearly not qualified to give. Their spin is always loud and clear: blame the victim (the guy) no matter what the ailment or issue he's describing; tell the guy he worries too much and should just be happy (one of the moderators, Julie of WebMD, actually has that an automatic quote on her postings). My point is even when men are supposed to have a safe space to voice their concerns, they don't really get to.

[monkfellow]

I'll post my comment as soon as I run it by my wife..

[jimfinster]

erasmus6:

I was just trying to stir things up. You could be right :)

[jeepmanjr]

It's cheaper to keep 'er. Yer gonna pay for the golden p%$##& no matter what. Every man is thinking he's doing the right thing when he spends waaaay too much on a stinkin' ring. Things seem all that until you say those special words, "I Do". Then it's all over. She owns you...legally. Oh yea sure... Throw her out, and all your worldly belongings and future with her. That's why women are so danged brazin. No, they're not smarter, they just have the law on their side. So fellers, if yer thinkin' about commitin' to the one you love, to that warm, sweet talking piece o' heaven you can't live without, dude, you better get a grip. Cuz there's only one thing yer gonna be grippin' come the day after!!! God bless you brothers!!! ;-)

[erasmus6]

Dearest Hypnotoad72

"Men think with their gonads. Woman just think."

Thank you! You have just made my point!


k517 - Your comments have been RIGHT ON!!