Gender roles- feminist theory

Question 1

Whats feminists’ view on gender roles

Answer 1

Women and men are not equal within the family bc society is patriarchal and as a result women occupy a subordinate position within society and the family.

Question 2

Ferri and Smith + Duncombe and Marsden

Answer 2

f and s argue that women work outside the home , in paid employment, and still do most of the housework and childcare. F & S refer to this as dual burden of paid work and unpaid housework. Therefore, the family is still patriarchal as men now benefit from women’s earnings and domestic labour. This is supported by Duncombe and Marsden who say that women do the triple shift- paid employment, domestic labour and emotional work.

Question 3

Gatrell + Boulton

Answer 3

Fathers are now more involved in their child’s upbringing than ever before. Some of the reasons for this are: marriages are no longer forever as adult relationships break down, while parents’ relationship with children are expected to last a lifetime. Men are now fully involved in the upbringing of their children however, it can be argued that men choose to spend more time with their children in order to avoid doing housework. This is supported by Boulton who found that men cherry pick tasks and chose to do the more enjoyable aspects of childcare.

Question 4

Silver and Schor

Answer 4

Proclaim the death of the housewife role.
The burden of housework on women has been reduced for 2 reasons:
1.Housework has been commercialised -microwaves, ready-made meals etc.takes burden off women
2.Women working -so can afford these goods and services

Question 5

criticism of silver and schor

Answer 5

Arber and Gin -only applies to m/c women