Malleability of gender role attitudes and gendered messages in couple and relationship education

Abstract

Gender role attitudes influence couple functioning and quality. However, few studies have examined within-person attitudinal change across life events because gender role attitudes are generally considered stable constructs. Emerging research rooted in theory shows evidence of gender role attitude malleability in adulthood. This study examines whether and how couple and relationship education (CRE) influences gender role attitudes. Although CRE is meant to promote relational skill-building, different CRE curricula appear to contain divergent gendered messages. This study found significant shifts in gender role attitudes reported by participants after engaging in CRE. Some shifts were more egalitarian; other shifts were more traditional. The shifts were based on the curriculum which was either Mastering the Mysteries of Love or Basic Training for Couples. Implications for practice are presented. © 2012 American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.