domestic division of labour Flashcards
What are the instrumental and expressive roles in Parsons’ functionalist model?
The husband has the instrumental role geared towards achieving success at work, while the wife has the expressive role focused on primary socialisation of the children and meeting the family’s emotional needs.
According to Parsons, what is the basis for the division of labor between spouses?
The division of labor is based on biological differences, with women naturally suited to nurturing roles and men better suited to providing.
What do some conservative thinkers like the new right believe regarding the division of labor?
They believe the division of labor is beneficial to men, women, their children, and the wider society.
What do Young and Willmott argue about men’s roles in domestic tasks?
They argue that men are taking a greater share of domestic tasks and wives are becoming wage earners.
How do feminist sociologists view Parsons’ division of labor?
They reject Parsons’ view, arguing that the division of labor only benefits men.
What are the two types of conjugal roles distinguished by Elizabeth Bott?
- Separated conjugal roles (male breadwinner, female homemaker)
- Joint conjugal roles (couples share tasks and leisure time)
What was identified by Young and Willmott in their study of traditional working-class families?
They identified a pattern of segregated conjugal roles where men were the breadwinners and women were full-time homemakers.
What is Ann Oakley’s criticism of Young and Willmott’s view of the family?
She believes their claims are exaggerated and that husbands’ contributions to housework are limited.
According to Boulton’s research, what percentage of husbands had a major role in childcare?
Fewer than 20% of husbands had a major role in childcare.
What did Warde and Hetherington find regarding sex-typing of domestic tasks?
They found that sex-typing remained strong, with wives being 30 times more likely to have done the washing last.
What is the ‘march of progress’ view held by Young and Willmott?
They believe family life is gradually improving for all members and becoming more equal.
What factors do Young and Willmott identify as contributing to the rise of symmetrical families?
- Changes in women’s positions
- Geographical mobility
- New technology
- Higher standards of living
Fill in the blank: In the symmetrical family, men now help with _______.
[housework and childcare]
True or False: Young and Willmott found that the symmetrical family was more common among older couples.
False
