WASP (WIVES AS SENIOR PARTNERS)

Exchange and interactionist perspective are used to explore a previously ignored contemporary marriage pattern: Wives as Senior Partners [WASP]. WASP marriages are those in which marriage and family life are organized around the wife''s job or career rather than the husband''s. There are 3 social conditions concurrent with WASP marriages: wives having traditionally male jobs, flexibility of husbands'' jobs and absence of children. Although the marital pattern was costly to both wives and husbands, especially in being perceived as deviant, techniques of deviance neutralization were used to minimize costs. There were also unique rewards attributed to the WASP marital pattern. Marital roles are evidently now more open to negotiation. Traditional marital role expectations may be re-evaluated when marital partners perceive a rewarding alternative. The WASP marital pattern is currently being chosen by some couples and is increasingly likely to be considered by others.