Happily Ever AfterHow important is gender role in a happy marriage? Should the man be the breadwinner and financial support? Should the woman keep the house and take care of the children for the marriage to succeed? Research has shown that “it is essential that both members of the couple understand the gender role expectations for themselves and their partners throughout the marriage” (Gender). This would indicate that even though the roles are not traditional, gender roles play an important role in marriage. This could explain the fact that in the late 1970s we experienced our highest divorce percentage. (Hughes). At that time, gender roles were changing at an unprecedented pace. Television plays an important role in how people relate to their own lives and what happens in their homes. Shows such as “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” and “Leave it to Beaver” in the 1950s depicted the so-called perfect family structure. The optimistic husband, sitting down to a quick breakfast his wife has just prepared, then leaves for the office, while his devoted wife stays home, takes the kids to school, then settles in for a day full of household chores, concluding the day with a full dinner on the table by 5 p.m. Of course, this is all done in a fitted dress and high heels. The 1950s was a time when gender roles were structured, men and women knew their position in the family or relationship and did not question it. In the 1950s, television said it was what made a happy home, and statistics show there were fewer divorces in those days. When gender roles in the 1950s were well defined, the divorce rate was a paltry five per thousand women compared to the 1970s peak of twenty-three division... middle of paper... ships. MissouriFamilies.org. University of Missouri Extension, August 20, 2008. Web. April 7, 2010. Hurley/The New York Times, Dan. “Divorce rate: It's not as high as you think. » Smart Marriage Statistics Collection. , April 19, 2005. Web. April 11, 2010. United States Census Bureau. United States Census Bureau, Table MS-2. September 2004. Web. April 11, 2010. US National Center for Health Statistics. Advance Report on Final Divorce Statistics, 1979. 2nd edition, vol. 30. NCHS Monthly Vital Supplement. Statistical report. National Center for Health Services, May 29, 1981. Web bApril 10.. 2010. .