Couples Flashcards
the symmetrical family
A family type that is more equal and democratic
joint conjugal roles
When tasks such as housework and childcare is shared between partners. The majority of leisure time is also spent with one another
segregated conjugal roles
When couples have separate roles: the male is the breadwinner and the female is the homemaker and carer. They also spend their free leisure time separately
the domestic division of labour
Refers to the roles that both men and women perform when it comes to housework, childcare and paid work.
patriarchy
When men withhold a dominance over women.
“rule by men”
household
A person living alone or a group of people living together; they may or may not be related to one another.
why was the 19th century Victorian family patriarchal?
when the couple got married, a woman’s property became her husbands, and grounds for divorce were unequal as a man could request a divorce on grounds of adultery whereas a woman had to prove herself.
According to Parsons, what type of role does the husband withhold?
an instrumental role- his role is geared towards achieving success at work to provide financial aid to the family
According to Parsons, what type of role does the wife withhold?
expressive role- consists of the primary socialisation of children and meeting the emotional needs of the family- she is a home maker and full time housewife.
What does Parsons believe to be the cause of these different roles withheld by the husband and wife?
biological differences-women are mechanised towards a more nurturing role whilst men are more suited towards being providers.
why do YOUNG AND WILLMOTT reject the ‘domestic division of labour’ theory?
young and willmott adopt a ‘march of progress’ view; they believe that men are taking a greater share of domestic tasks whilst more wives are becoming wage earners.
Why do FEMINISTS reject the ‘domestic division of labour’ theory?
feminists reject this view that the division of labour is normal and argue that it has been socially constructed- they argue that the division of labour only benefits men.
what did young and willmott find in their study of families in bethnal green?
Young and Wilmott found out that it’s the working class that more likely to have segregated conjugal roles. Their study of traditional working class extended families in Bethnal Green found that the men were the breadwinners, who spent their leisure time in the pubs with workmates and played minimal input in home life- women = full time housewives with sole responsibility being based on housework and childcare - leisure time frequently spent with female kin.
what couples are more likely to be symmetrical?
younger, geographically and socially isolated couples, more affluent couples.
Give examples of how life has become more symmetrical for couples
=women now go out to work, couples are now more geographically and socially mobile and now have a higher standard of living as opposed to the past.
=couples are now spending more leisure time together rather than separately with workmates or female relatives
=men now help with housework and childcare
