Military Wives: Ambiguity in a Traditional Role

Abstract

The traditional pattern of the two-person career in the military has undergone a transition so that the contemporary role of the military wife has become similar to the civilian one. Data from 111 women married to servicemen stationed overseas at 13 bases in 4 countries suggest that, although the traditional dependent pattern is no longer universal, much role ambiguity and conflict remain as families adapt to the changing military environment.