Couples

Question 1

Domestic Division of Labour (Parsons)

Answer 1

Men and women have biologically suited roles that are functional for society:

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

Domestic Division of Labour (Bott)

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

Domestic Division of Labour (Willmott & Young)

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Are couples more equal? (March of Progress)

Answer 4

The ‘new man’ means couples have an equal share of housework and childcare.

Question 5

Are couples more equal? (Dual Burden)

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Are couples more equal? (Triple Shift)

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Decision Making (Material explanation)

Answer 7

Men have more power in decision making because they earn more.

Question 8

Decision Making (Cultural Explanation)

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Domestic Abuse (Dobash & Dobash)

Answer 9

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 10

Domestic Abuse (Ansley)

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Domestic Abuse (Wilkinson)

Answer 11

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