Examined United States survey data from the 1950s through the 1980s for changes in family life norms and values. Found in 1960s and 1970s data a weakening of imperative to marry and remain married, stay monogamous, have children, and maintain gender role separation. Observed flattening of trends during early 1980s. Links family life trends to…

Data from a longitudinal study of women and their children indicate that: (1) concepts of women's roles have become more egalitarian; (2) youth, labor force experience, and educational attainment positively influence egalitarian attitudes; (3) church attendance and identification with fundamentalist religions predict traditional outlooks; and (4)…

This paper documents the shift women have made towards more egalitarian sex role attitudes. Younger women, those with more education, those with better educated husbands, and those working at the start of the study, were found to be more likely than others to adopt egalitarian attitudes. (Author/RLV)