4.1 couples Flashcards
the domestic division of labour
what two roles does parson identify?
- instrumental role- dad, success at work, financial support for family, breadwinner
- expressive role- mum, primary socialisation of children, meeting families emotional needs, home-maker
the domestic division of labour
why do parson’s roles fit men and women
men suited to be provider
woman more naturally nurturing
the domestic division of labour
what do Young and Willmott say in disagreement with parsons
men are now taking a greater share of domestic tasks and wives also becoming wage earners
the domestic division of labour
what do feminists argue against parsons?
reject the idea that the division of labour is equal and that is is actually massively imbalanced
the domestic division of labour
who identifies 2 types of conjugal roles?
Bott
the domestic division of labour
what are the 2 types of conjugal roles?
- segregated conjugal roles- the couple have separate roles, a man and a woman who does housework, leisure activities separate
- joint conjugal roles- the couple share tasks such as housework and childcare and spend their leisure time together
the domestic division of labour
Yound and Willmott identified what in Bethnal Green, East London?
- a pattern of segregated conjugal roles in traditional extended working class families
- men breadwinners, little part in homelife, leisure in pubs and working mens clubs
- women full time housewives responsible for housework and childcare
the domestic division of labour
who suggests a symmetrical family?
Young and Willmott
the domestic division of labour
what does the ‘march of progress’ view consist of?
family life gradually improving for all it’s members, becoming more equal and democratic.
the domestic division of labour
features of the symmetrical family
- women now go out to work
- men now help out with childcare and housework
- couples now spend leisure time together instead of separately
the domestic division of labour
who was the symmetrical family more common amongst?
younger couples
those geographically and socially isolated
the more affluent
the domestic division of labour
examples of major social changes that have caused the rise of the symmetrical nuclear family
- changes in women’s postitions e.g. married women going to work
- geographical mobility- more couples living away from where they grew up
- new tech and labour saving devices
- higher standards of living
the domestic division of labour
why do feminists reject the march of progress view?
- argue little has changed, still unequal in the family
- bc society is male dominated (patriarchal)
- women occupy a subordinate and dependant role within the family and wider society
the domestic division of labour
why does Ann Oakley oppose Young and Willmott’s view that the family is symmetrical?
- their claims are exaggerated
- e.g. despite findings the fact that husbnads helped their wives out at least once a week this could simply include taking children to park or making breakfast on one occasion
the domestic division of labour
what evidence did oakley find for husbands helping in the home but not symmetry?
- only 15% had high participation in house work
- only 25% in childcare
- husbands more likely to share childcare rather than housework due to it’s pleasurable aspects
- boulton- only 20% men have a role in childcare
- warde- sex typing on domestic tasks- wives 30x more likely to have washed dishes, men 4x more likely to have washed car
are couples becoming more equal?
what two questions come as a result of both partners working?
- is there a “new man” taking responsibility and doing an equal share of housework and childcare?
- or does it mean that women now have a dual burden of paid and house work?
are couples becoming more equal?
what stance does the march of progress view take on the impact of paid work?
- optimistic view
- leads to a more equal division of labour in the home
- men more involved in housework, women in paidwork
are couples becoming more equal?
gershuny (march of progress view) says that women working full time leads to..
- more equal division of labour in the home
are couples becoming more equal?
sullivan (march of progress view) analysed nationally representative data and found that…
- trend towards women doing less domestic work and men doing more
- thus men doing more traditional womens tasks
are couples becoming more equal?
what is the feminist stance on the impact of paid work?
- women in paid work not led to greater equality of domestic labour
- little sign of a “new man”
- women carry out a dual burden