Question
Which countries have larger age difference between husband and
wife (the man being typically older), individualistic or
collectivistic?
Collectivistic
There is no difference
Individualistic
wife (the man being typically older), individualistic or
collectivistic?
Collectivistic
There is no difference
Individualistic
Ask by Carroll Martinez. in the United States
Mar 27,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
In collectivistic societies, husbands are usually older than wives, so there’s a larger age difference.
Solution
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Understanding Cultural Dimensions
- In collectivistic societies, relationships and familial roles are strongly influenced by social norms and traditional hierarchies. Marriages in these societies tend to emphasize respect for elders and established gender roles.
- In individualistic societies, there is greater emphasis on personal choice and equality in relationships, which might lead to more similar ages between partners.
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Implication for Age Differences
- Given the importance of tradition and hierarchy in collectivistic societies, it is common for the husband (traditionally, the authority figure) to be significantly older than the wife.
- In individualistic societies, where the emphasis is on personal compatibility rather than fulfilling a specific social role, the age difference tends to be smaller.
-
ConclusionSince collectivistic societies value traditional arrangements where the husband is often considerably older, the age gap between husband and wife is typically larger in collectivistic countries than in individualistic countries.
Answer: Collectivistic
Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor
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Simplify this solution Extra Insights
In many collectivistic cultures, traditional views often prioritize age and gender roles, leading to larger age gaps, with men typically being older than their wives. Countries like India and Indonesia exemplify this trend, where social norms and family expectations reinforce these marriages.
Conversely, in individualistic societies such as the United States and the Scandinavian countries, there tends to be a smaller age difference between spouses as personal choice and partner compatibility become more important, allowing couples to prioritize love and mutual interests over societal norms.
