Oakley's Views on the Conventional Family - Family (Feminist)

Question 1

How does Ann Oakley define the conventional family?

Answer 1

• As a nuclear family comprising a married couple and their children who live together.
• Women are expected to do unpaid work inside the home while men are expected to do paid work outside the home.
• The man’s economic power is linked to his income from paid work.
• The women’s dependence on the man’s wages is one aspect of inequality.
• Statistically, the conventional family is no longer the norm but the idea of the conventional family life is powerful.
  People expect it to bring them happiness but, in reality, it can be stressful.
• In Oakley’s view, some groups, particularly among the educated middle class, are exploring other ways of living - both in families and without them.
  Both dual-worker and lone-parent families are increasing.
• However, norms are not changing across all social groups because conventional families are self-perpetuating over time - they set the pattern for the next generation of parents.