Couples Flashcards
What is meant by the domestic division of labor?
Refers to households tasks like cooking and cleaning and paid work divided between men and women. Sociologists explore whether relationships have become more equal over time..
What’s meant by the instrumental and the expressive role? Who came up with this theory?
PARSON!
Instrumental: male is seen as the breadwinner and is in charge of financially supporting the family.
Expressive: women is the homemaker and is responsible for the childcare and housework
What are some criticisms of Parson’s theory of the instrumental and expressive role?
-outdated many women now work and men help more at home
-feminists argue this theory reinforces the patriarchy
What is meant by segregated conjugal roles?
When there is a clear division of labour; men work and women do the housework.
What is meant by joint conjugal roles?
Where couples share work childcare and leisure time.
Who would believe there’s now equality in the home?
-functionalists: Society has seen a march of progress with the family and its changing over time to adapt to the changing needs of the society that we live in.
-liberal feminists: there has been movement towards greater equality in terms of housework and childcare due to legislative changes.
Who would believe there’ still inequality in the home?
-radical feminists: would argue patriarchal ideology ensures women believe that the segregated conjugal roles are natural and inevitable.
-Marxist feminists: the ruling class ideology promotes the traditional nuclear family
What are some reasons for the increase in equality?
-women’s participation in the workforce
-technological advancements
-advancement in women’s rights
What is meant by ‘march of progress’?
Refers to the perspective that society is continually improving and progressing towards better conditions over time.
Who believes society has progressed and so have the roles within the family (march of progress)?
Wilmott and Young
