Introduction
What brings joy and contentment to women as they age?  Why are the later years a time of peace and enlightenment for some, yet a time of challenge and hardship for others?  The answers to these lofty questions may be fleeting.  Companionship, security, strong mind and body, faith, a sense of purpose through work and hobbies, family ties — surely a plethora of factors come into play.  The “case” has been presented that marriage is healthy (financially, physically, emotionally) for both men and women, but scientific research is not entirely conclusive and primarily is focused on younger cohorts.  Does being married make women’s later years brighter?  We are familiar with the often cited 50% divorce rate and the fact that many women outlive their husbands.  Where does this leave women in the “second half” of their lives?   This issue brief sheds some light on this topic by comparing the responses of married, previously married, and never married women participating in the 2002 National Poll of Women 50+ conducted by the National Center on Women and Aging (NCWA).  NCWA surveyed 1,001 women across the country to gain a better understanding of their experiences, opinions and attitudes and to provide benchmark data that will enable future research and analysis of changes and trends among this important population.

Contents:
Demographic Differences, Positive Attitudes
Does Marriage Bring Better Health?
Financial Status and Stability, Employment, Perpectives on Policy

Series Home Page

Other titles in the series...
Women 80+
Women of Color
Work Status:  Staying Employed, Finding a Job
Savers & Non-Savers:  Different Expectations, Different Destinies
How Do Physical Limitations Affect Expectations About Aging?