Final answer:
Men's marital satisfaction may increase with age as they engage in supportive community roles and have secure retirement plans; however, it can vary and be impacted by factors such as the division of childcare responsibilities and the death of a spouse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research on marriage and how it impacts satisfaction levels in men indicates varied results, which may be influenced by numerous social and personal factors. However, some research suggests that men may experience increased satisfaction with age, as they often have better retirement plans and play supportive community roles post-retirement, according to a functionalist perspective. This can contribute to feelings of usefulness and fulfillment. On the other hand, the pressures of dual-career couples when dividing responsibilities and ensuring equitable satisfaction with regards to childcare can create stress, potentially influencing marital satisfaction negatively. Interestingly, studies indicate that after the death of a spouse, men are more likely to remarry, and some may experience a greater sense of loss, since their emotional life and everyday care from the spouse is suddenly absent. Thus, satisfaction in marriage for men can vary with different stages of life and circumstances.