Gender roles + Relationships Flashcards
Outline the difference between segregate conjugal roles and joint conjugal roles.
Segregate roles refers to how the roles of man and women were different/separate and how the domestic division of labour was unequal. (joint argues the opposite)
Outline 3 reasons for greater equality between genders today
More women are in paid work - women have become financially independent
Impact of feminism and changes in law - Policies such as equal pay act and sex discrimination act demand greater equality for women.
Changing social attitudes - British society not only expect equal treatment between man and women in relationships but are also becoming more accepting with idea of househusbands
What is evidence that domestic labour is now more equal is relationships
The symmetrical family - a study conducted by Young and Wilmott arguing that couples were increasingly sharing domestic tasks.
The commercialisation of house work - products (e.g fridges, washing machine, microwaves etc..) and services (cleaners) have led to the death of the traditional housewife as women have been freed up from house work.
Childcare - growing number of males in relationships take on the role of the ‘NEW man’ where they are committed to doing their fair share of childcare.
What is evidence that domestic labour is NOT equal equal is relationships
Women face a dual burden, according to feminists women must deal with house work and paid labour; which was even accelerated by the pandemic where women had to do an extra 31 hours of … a week
Emotion work, women must perform labour love by providing emotional support e.g make sure children get the birthday present that they want, calm down her angry husband after being alienated by the capitalist workforce etc..
Childcare, according to Ferri and Smith the new man only applies to a minority of fathers;
What is evidence power relationships are equal
Control over family finances, according to a statistical research; there had been a rapid increase in pooling between couples, more commonly in dual earner families where both partners bring money into the household and have equal access to
Decision making, relationships have become more democratic; where power and authority over financial decisions does NOT rest on the man and is open to discussion between the 2 partners
Outline 3 sociologist explanations for domestic violence
Radical feminists blame patriarchy, men use violence to exert their power over their wives if they feel the slightest bit of their authority threatened, highlighting the toxic nature of typical familial ideology.
Marxist feminist blame capitalism for domestic abuse against women, arguing that men experience alienation of work which results in a build up of stress and anger; meaning that when they return home they are likely to unleash their frustrations over their wives making them (according to Ansley) “takers of shit” and (according to Benston) slaves of the wage slaves
Marxist (materialist explanation) …
