Gender roles and power dynamics in marriage: a sociological observation in Uzbekistan

Аннотация

This article examines gender roles and power VOLUME Vol.07 Issue08 2025 dynamics within marriage in Uzbekistan, focusing on sociological and psychological perspectives and recent CITATION trends (2020-2024). Uzbekistan has a traditionally Nazokat Khudoyqulova. (2025). Gender roles and power dynamics in patriarchal family structure influenced by both cultural marriage: a sociological observation in Uzbekistan. The American Journal norms and post-Soviet social changes. Purpose: The of Political Science Law and Criminology, 7(8), 34–38. https://doi.org/10.37547/tajpslc/Volume07Issue08-05 study aims to analyze how marital power relations are shaped by gender roles, how these dynamics have COPYRIGHT evolved in recent years, and what theoretical © 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms frameworks explain these patterns. Methods: A of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License. literature-based analysis was conducted, drawing on sociological studies, psychological research, and reports on gender in Uzbekistan. Findings: Traditional Uzbek marriages often feature male-dominated decision- making and a clear division of labor, reinforced by cultural norms and extended family structures. However, recent reforms and shifting attitudes (especially among younger, urban couples) show emergent egalitarian tendencies. Legislation between 2020 and 2024-such as strengthened domestic violence laws and a national gender strategy-reflects progress in women’s rights. Still, surveys reveal that a large majority of the population adheres to stereotypes assigning men primary authority and women domestic responsibility. Conclusions: Marital power dynamics in Uzbekistan are in transition: while historic patriarchy persists, socio- economic developments and legal reforms are enabling gradual shifts toward equality. Implications: Understanding these dynamics through theories of resource power, patriarchy, and social role expectations is crucial for policymakers and educators aiming to foster gender equity in family life. Keywords: Uzbekistan, marriage, gender roles, marital power, patriarchy, egalitarianism, sociological theory, 2020-2024 trends. The American Journal of Political Science Law and Criminology 34 https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajpslc The American Journal of Political Science Law and Criminology Introduction: Uzbekistan’s family life is at a crossroads harmony in the family. While this perspective between deep-rooted traditions and modern acknowledged an authority difference (husband as head egalitarian ideals. Gender roles and power dynamics in of household), it viewed it as a natural, beneficial marriage refer to how responsibilities, decision-making arrangement in traditional society. Critics note that this authority, and influence are distributed between model often justified male dominance as “normal” and husbands and wives. In many societies, these dynamics ignored women’s autonomy. are shaped by cultural norms, economic factors, and A classic study by Robert Blood and Donald Wolfe found legal frameworks. Uzbekistan provides a compelling that the spouse who brings more social and economic case study due to its history as a Soviet republic (which resources (income, education, status) into the marriage promoted women’s emancipation) and its post- tends to have greater decision-making power. In their independence reassertion of traditional values. This survey of 900 American wives, they concluded that article explores how marital gender roles are defined marital power is not just about tradition, but about who in Uzbek culture, how power is negotiated between controls valued resources. This is an application of social spouses, and how these patterns have evolved in the exchange theory: the partner less dependent on the period 2020-2024. Understanding marital power other (because they have independent resources) can dynamics is important because they affect family well- leverage more power. Resource theory suggests that as being, women’s status, and societal development. women gain education and income, power balances Power imbalances in marriage can influence become more equal. However, this theory assumes everything from daily decisions (e.g. finances, mobility) decisions are openly negotiated; it may overlook hidden to serious outcomes like domestic violence rates and forms of power.[3] divorce. Conversely, more balanced, egalitarian Related to exchange theory, this principle (attributed to relationships are often associated with higher marital sociologist Willard Waller) posits that the partner less satisfaction and better outcomes for children. Thе emotionally invested in or dependent on the соnсерt оf gеndеr rоlеs is сеntrаl tо undеrstаnding relationship holds more power. In many traditional fаmily dynаmiсs, shарing еxресtаtiоns, marriages, men have been seen as holding less to lose rеsроnsibilitiеs, аnd intеrасtiоns within thе fаmily unit. (due to greater social freedom or