Abstract
M.A. (Sociology)
Traditionally, the husband has a higher status than his wife.
When the wife improves her status however, this relationship can
be changed into one that is unconventionally asymmetric. One
important factor that can lead to such an unconventional
asymmetry, is the furthering of the wife's educational status, a
tendency found increasingly among Black women.
Since many Black women who study at a university are married, it
is important that they get the support of their husbands in
coping with the heavy workload resulting from simultaneously
studying and running a household.
The aim of this study was to use qualitative research in an
explorative way to collect in-depth information on how Black
women, who are studying at a university, experience the way their
husbands support them. Attention was paid to three main areas of
support, namely moral support, support in doing the household
tasks and support with looking after the children. Attention was
also paid to the extent to which quarreling is caused by the
wife's studies.
The responses in personal interviews yielded four profiles of
support experienced by the wives. The first pattern is one of
high support experienced by the wife, characterized by high moral
support, medium to medium-high support with the household, medium
to high support with the children and little quarreling caused
by the wife's studies.
The second pattern is one of medium to high support experienced
by the wife, characterized by medium moral support, medium-high
support regarding the household, high support with the children
and little quarreling that the wife experiences as being caused
by her studies.