Couples Flashcards
Parsons view
The division of labour is based on biological differences
Parsons and the roles
Husband- instrumental (breadwinner)
Wife- expressive (housewife)
Parsons critisims
Feminists- division of labor is not natural and only benefits men
Young and Willmott- (march of progress) men are now taking a greater share of domestic tasks and there are more women in work
Bott view/roles
Segregated conjugal roles- couples have separate role and leisure
Joint conjugal roles- couples have equal division of labor
Bott roles evidence
Young and Willmott- study of east london traditional working class families where the pattern is segregated conjugal roles
Young and Willmott view
Symmetrical family ( march of progress view) reflect changes in society
Young and Willmott trends
- trend away from segregated conjugal roles + more equality
- more women are in work (72.2%)
- men do more domestic work
- couples leisure together
Young and Willmott symmetrical family
Symmetrical family more common among middle class and young.
Young and Willmott criticisms
Feminists reject this view. Ann Oakley says these claims are exaggerated. Men may help in the home but they do more pleasurable tasks like childcare
Childcare stat
Wives are simply left time to do more housework, 30× more likely to do the washing and women still have the main responsibility of the child’s safety
Oakley Dual burden
Women are now expected to do both paid work and domestic tasks
Hochschild Triple shift
On top of paid work and domestic tasks women do emotional work
Cultural explanation
Divisions of labour is shaped by patriarchal norms and values
Gershuny couples mimic their parents and there are generational changes
Material explanation divison of labor
Women earn less suggesting they should do more of the housework and childcare
Evidence for every £10,000 more a women earns she does 2 hours less of housework
Domestice violence
Dobash and Dobash- DV often triggered when husband perceives a threat to his authority + marriage legitimates violence.
