ABSTRACT
This chapter explains changing role structures and relationships. It understands conjugal power in terms of resource theory and gender and describes how newlywed role decisions may differ from people who are married for longer periods of time. The chapter discusses the various roles couples might negotiate, including but not limited to provided, housekeeper, sexual, recreation, religious, and kinship, explains the research difficulties with concepts like "happiness". It outlines some of the key issues related to marital satisfaction and discusses developmental theories, particularly in terms of marital satisfaction and the "empty nest" period. The chapter describes how marital quality might change over the course of a lifetime.
