15. "Marital power" is the ability to control the spouse and to influence or control decisions and activities. Husbands typically have more power in marriage than do wives, mainly because they make more money. This was true in my family while growing up, but only for decisions and activities that involved economic resources(money) Decisions and activities such as how to punish, praise or handle the kids were more equally controlled. My father had more control or "marital power" when it came to the family budget, finances, and money related decisions. My father was the one who worked full time and brought home the paycheck, my mother worked on-again off-again and did not really want the responsibility of having power on money issues. Things that weren't centered around money were more equally controlled.