epend on their spouse to fulfill their needs ofworthiness. As opposed to older women who, in most cases, have a more stronger sense of self worth. The traditional bargain struck between men and women - financial support for domestic services - is no longer valid. Women have shown outstanding improvements in education, and played a major part in the work force. With education and occupation in their hands, women do not need to rely on men for economic support, thus marriageis not an immediate concern anymore. However, it should be noted that when both husband and wife are employed the marriage is given an economic boost. Nonetheless, all of these changes have spurred women to greater autonomy. Each has affected marriage in a different way, but all have worked in unity toward the same result - to make marriage less urgent and more arbitrary. Marriage may change for the better if people are committed to making the institution work, although in a newformat. Still, studies show young adult women still care about marriage enough that the conflict between work life and family life remains intense. Its resolution remains a major issue on the public agenda for the future.---References Allen, S. M. & Kalish, R. A. (1984). Professional women and marriage. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 46(5), 375-382. Becker, G. S. (1981). A Theory of Marriage: Marriage, Children and Human Capital. Chicago, IL:University of Chicago Press. Casler, L. (1974). Is Marriage Necessary? New York:Human Sciences Press. Cherlin, A. (1990). The strange career of the Harvard Yale study. Public Opinion Quarterly, 54, 117-124. Chollar, S. (1993). Happy families. American Health, July/Aug., 52-57. Crispell, D. (1996). Marital Bust. [On-line]. Available:http://www.marketingtools.com Elder, G.H. (1974). Role orientation, marital age, and life patterns in adulthood. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly of Beha...
