Evidence for (Gender) Equality in Families questions

Question 1

what was Talcott Parsons’ (1959) ‘warm bath theory’?

Answer 1

that the nuclear family stabilises adult personalities, both gaining support from the structure

Question 2

what did Duncome and Marsden (1995) observe about women’s role in the family in contemporary society?

Answer 2

due to doing paid work, and being expected to complete all previous roles, women now experienced triple shift, consisting of:
1. employment
2. domestic work
3. emotional work

Question 3

what did Mansfield and Collard (1989) claim about newly married wives?

Answer 3

they were disappointed with the lack of emotional reciprocity in their marriages

Question 4

what did Young and Wilmott (1950s) claim about roles within families?

Answer 4

• there was a pattern of segregated conjugal roles (different roles, equal burden)
• trend towards equality (Partnership of Equals)

Question 5

what did Morris (1990) discover about domestic labour in the home?

Answer 5

that even when only the woman works, the husband did less housework

Question 6

what did Gershuny claim about the equality of couples?

Answer 6

• trend towards equality (caused by increase of paid employment of women)
• tasks still divided according to gender roles

Question 7

according to Giddens (1992) family has been transformed by what?

Answer 7

greater choice and more equal relationships

Question 8

what fraction of working age women have jobs?

Answer 8

7/10

Question 9

what did Brayfield (1992) discover about dual career families?

Answer 9

women still had major responsibility for domestic tasks

Question 10

the more hours a woman is employed….

Answer 10

the more domestic labour is shared

Question 11

what did Ann Oakley (1974) discover about conjugal roles?

Answer 11

• 15% of husbands had high level of participation in housework
• 25% of husbands had high level of participation in childcare

Question 12

who talked about the four functions of the (nuclear) family?

Answer 12

Murdock (1949)

Question 13

what were Murdock’s (1949) four functions of the (nuclear) family?

Answer 13

1. sexual - married adults enjoy healthy sex life
2. reproduction - create next generation
3. economic - provide food and shelter (man works, woman stays at home)
4. education (socialisation) - helps build society consensus