Reference is made to the literature showing that marital commitment (defined by Becker as a “bet” on the future) has been strongly affected by variables such as love/caring and positive conflict resolution. The issue raised in this study is whether, given the continuing changes in female/male relationships over the past 20 years, additional factors stemming from those gender-based changes might gradually become part of a syndrome affecting the nature of the marital bond. This syndrome of factors includes gender role preferences, religious devoutness, and locus of control in marriage. Theoretical arguments supporting this gradual evolutionary emergence are presented along with an exploratory study suggesting propositions to be tested in future research—preferably within a life course perspective.
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