Exchange of Conjugal Power in the Control of Family Food Consumption

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to examine the process involved in decision making in regard to family food behavior. One hundred and sixteen young married couples were asked to respond to a questionnaire designed to elicit the different types of power used by husbands and wives with regard to family food preferences. The study centered around two dimensions: (1) the type of power used by husbands to control or influence food preferences and (2) the wives' counter to husbands' power usage. The results indicate that the majority of wives perceived they would comply with their husbands' desires regarding family meals. The husbands tended to gain compliance with their wishes through usage of a “referent” or personal power tactic. When wives countered their husbands' responses, the wives typically utilized “coercive” or “legitimate” power.