Examined equity in marriage in 400 middle-aged and older married women who described equity at eight points across their lifespan. Results suggested women begin a marriage with a sense of overbenefit, move into a period of underbenefit during their middle years, and feel fairly treated in late middle age. (JAC)

With more rigorous and systematic integration of gerontological data with social and social psychological theory, more comprehensive explanations of life course phenomena would result. Moreover, the age variable would be considered by other sociologists as less of a control and more of a relevant variable in its own right. (Author)

Examines nonverbal expressions of power and control in the daily lives of old people from a life-span perspective. Because of societal devaluation of the aged and later life declines in power resources, old people experience loss of status and social control during everyday nonverbal rituals of dominance and deference. (Author)