[7] Although the two had not planned to reverse social roles, this became their lifestyle after Eagly succeeded further in her career and they concluded that Robert would become the stay-at-home parent.
[5] Eagly developed the social role theory which attributes current sex differences to the labor division between men and women.
[8] While conducting research pertaining to the Social Role Theory, Eagly was a member of an observation team that explored stereotype content.
This stereotype is composed of physical attractiveness, media content, and social attention given to those with certain outward characteristics.
Due to the fact that society as a whole has been seen through studies as more accepting of physically attractive individuals, the stereotype has formed that they also hold characteristics and attributes that are positive and favorable.
[17] In an additional study, Eagly found that participant's mate-preferences could be shifted by asking them to see themselves in different marital roles.
[18] Other research that Eagly participated in looks at women who were highly educated and their anticipated marital roles.
This study shows that these women anticipated inequality in areas such as employment hours, salary, housework and childcare in comparison to the amount of work that they expected their husbands to do.
Further research in this study also shows that women who anticipated greater employment opportunity showed a general decrease in gender role assumptions, but also felt that they felt their relationships with their family and emotional well-being would be affected adversely.
[21] According to Eagly's studies, she refers to the differences found in gender stated as male or female due to the standard XX or XY chromosomes present.
Eagly states that women must have these caring traits while also be willing to show confidence and assertion, which many find to be incompatible.