Gender, culture and power: Investigating spousal transgressions in India and the United States

Research suggests an imbalance of duties exists between spouses in cultures in which hierarchical family relationships prevail (Neff, 2001; Turiel, 1998). Within these relationships, the male superiors are often seen to have more rights and the female subordinates more duties. We conducted a cross-cultural investigation within India and the United States (N=80) examining perceived transgressions between husbands and wives. We coded responses to interview questions tapping both the type of transgression mentioned and the reasons provided. More Americans than Indians reported inequality in the relationship as the basis of the transgressions, whereas more Indians than Americans reported failure to fulfill role obligations as the basis of the transgressions. Our results suggested that in India expectations and duties were not imbalanced as both husbands and wives had reciprocal role obligations.