Alternative Lifestyles

, Volume 4, Issue 2, pp 228–241 | Cite as

Older men in employed and retired families

Well-being and involvement in household activities
  • Pat M. Keith
  • Edward A. Powers
  • Willis J. Goudy
Article

Abstract

Although much research on household work has focused on young dual-career couples, there has been speculation that retirement may have a significant effect on the arrangement of household activities in later life. Furthermore, involvement in the household is believed to influence psychological well-being. Available literature, however, provides contradictory evidence regarding the extent to which integration into household activities may either reduce or contribute to stress. The degree to which male involvement in the household in later life was stressful was examined in this research. Data were analyzed from structured interviews with 1165 older, married men who were employed full-time, part-time, or retired. Employed men were significantly less involved in the household than were the retired; however, men participated more in both masculine and feminine tasks if their wives were employed. Involvement in the household was not stressful although the benefits derived from participation varied somewhat by type of task.

Keywords

Social Policy Social Issue Structure Interview Household Activity Household Work 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Sage Publications, Inc. 1981

Authors and Affiliations

  • Pat M. Keith
    • 1
  • Edward A. Powers
    • 1
  • Willis J. Goudy
    • 1
  1. 1.Iowa State UniversityUSA

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