ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how marriage matters for men by looking at what married men are expected to be at the roles that our society presumes and encourages men to assume. There is a sociological theme related to gender that unites these seemingly disparate points, at least with respect to married men. That theme focuses on marriage as a social institution and venue for the expression and development of adult masculinity. The gender stereotypes that inform our sense of masculinity or femininity are embedded in all social institutions the law, the economy, religion, and so on. The dimensions of normative marriage are powerful symbols that husbands use in the ongoing everyday display of gender. Men may be encouraged by wives to visit their doctors and attend to their health, and the greater social involvement of married people may minimize some types of mental health problems by providing networks of support.
