ABSTRACT
As opportunities for women have expanded and feminist attitudes have gained acceptance, attitudes toward marriage and women's roles have changed in some respects, but not others. Young women regard favorably the roles of both worker and mother for married women, and young women and men place similar importance on anticipated career and marital identities. This chapter examines the relationship between the drive to marry and women's desire to adopt their husband's name, use the title "Mrs"., and wear a wedding ring. Young women also place greater importance than do young men on their future parental identity, are more likely to consider the possibility of an extended work interruption to manage future family concerns, and expect to be the parent who will stay at home with a newborn infant. The chapter examines gender differences in the drive to marry and studies predictors of individual differences in the drive to marry within each gender.
