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Marriage and Midlife: The Impact of Social Change

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Abstract

Major social and cultural changes of the past few decades have had an impact on many aspects of life, including marital relationships. There have been modifications in the career, work, parenting roles, and a shift in marital values from an emphasis on survival and economic security to a focus on companionship, love, and communication. A focus on self-fulfillment has superseded more traditional concerns about family integrity. The concept of marriage as an adult partnership between equals, with specific roles and responsibilities, is not new. It is, however, increasingly seen as a partnership between two independent people with individual goals, styles, and personalities.

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© 1982 Plenum Press, New York

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Nadelson, C., Polonsky, D.C., Mathews, M.A. (1982). Marriage and Midlife: The Impact of Social Change. In: Nadelson, C.C., Notman, M.T. (eds) The Woman Patient. Women in Context: Development and Stresses. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9242-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9242-6_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4615-9244-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-9242-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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