WASP (Wives as Senior Partners)

Abstract

Using exchange and interactionist perspectives, this research explores a previously ignored contemporary marriage pattern: Wives as Senior Partners. WASP marriages are those in which marriage and family life are organized around the wife's job or career rather than the husband's. We found that there are three social conditions concurrent with WASP marriages: wives having traditionally male jobs, flexibility of husbands' jobs, and absence of children. Although the marital pattern was costly to both wives and husbands, especially in being perceived as deviant, techniques of deviance neutralization were used to minimize costs. There were also unique rewards attributed to the WASP maritalpattern. We suggest that marital roles are now more open to negotiation and that traditional marital role expectations may be re-evaluated when marital partners perceive a rewarding alternative. The WASP marital pattern is currently being chosen by some couples and is increasingly likely to be considered by others.