Couples

Question 1

What was Parsons view on the Domestic Division Of Labour?

Answer 1

Men and women have biologically suited roles that are functional for societv:
Expressive role - Women = Homemaker (involves cooking,
cleaning and looking after children)

Instrumental role - Men = Breadwinner (involves paid
work, earning the income for the family)

Question 2

What was Botts view on the Domestic Division Of Labour?

Answer 2

Segregated conjugal roles - Division of labour between men and women, couple spends leisure time separately Joint conjugal roles - couples share domestic tasks and leisure time.

Question 3

What was Willmott and Youngs view on the Domestic Division Of Labour?

Answer 3

There are now more symmetrical families as a result of increased joint conjugal roles

Question 4

Why are couples more equal?

Answer 4

The March Of Progress view:
The ‘new man’ means couples have an equal share of housework and childcare.

Question 5

Why couples are not more equal?

Answer 5

DUAL BURDEN:
Women now do paid work and domestic work (Feri and Smith).

TRIPLE SHIFT:
Women not only carry the dual burden of paid and domestic work, but also have to do the emotional work (Duncombe and Marsden).

Question 6

Decision making in couples.

Answer 6

MATERIAL EXPLANATION:
Men have more power in decision making because they earn more.

CULTURAL EXPLANATION:
Gender role socialisation instils the view that men are the primary decision makers.

Question 7

Domestic abuse: Dobash and Dobash.

Answer 7

Marriage and the nuclear family is the key institution of patriarchy, and the main source of women’s oppression. Domestic violence is inevitable because it serves to preserve the power men have over women.

Question 8

Domestic abuse: Ansley

Answer 8

Domestic violence is the product of capitalism: males workers are exploited at work and take their frustration out on their wives.

Question 9

Domestic abuse: Wilkinson

Answer 9

Domestic violence is the result of stress on the family caused by social inequality.
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Question 10

Couples: In a nutshell

Answer 10

Sociologists have different opinions on how couples do and should divide up domestic labour. They also have different opinions on how decision making happens. Finally, some sociologists believe domestic violence results from patriarchy (Dobash and Dobash), whereas others believe it’s cause by stress from being poor (Wilkinson).