Outline and evaluate sociological explanations of the roles of men and women with the family Flashcards
point 1
postmodernists believe that we are in an age where due to choice gender roles are becoming more symmetrical, one example of this is now women no longer independently have to look after they children
example 1
Beck (1992) notes that in the postmodern age, fathers can no longer rely on jobs to provide a sense of identity and fulfilment increasingly, they look to their children to give them a sense of identity and purpose.
explain 1
This shows that gender roles are changing as previously the family would consist of very traditional roles which would include women taking full responsibility of their children
counter 1
Parsons argues that Men have an instrumental role that leads them into the public sphere of paid employment, whilst women have an expressive role that leads them to take responsibility of the private sphere of home and children. This shows that there are still traditional values within the family and there actually isn’t as much diversity and variation as postmodernists argue.
point 2
New right thinkers argue that traditional labour roles are important as society will function smoother with men in control and women being more obedient.
example 2
Murray argues that society needs strong families with male heads in control. Those who share this perspective see the traditional nuclear family being undermined by ‘alternative living arrangements’ that do not adequately perform the functions needed for the ‘smooth running’ of society.
explain 2
New right thinkers will argue that this shows that gender roles being traditional and less symmetrical benefit society as it makes it easier for it to function properly and if these roles were more symmetrical then society wouldn’t be able to function as well.
counter 2
Delphy and Leonard believe that wives contribute much more work to family life than their husbands. Despite this, they get fewer of the material benefits of family life than men. Men retain ultimate responsibility for family finances, and women consume less than male family members, also The male head of household usually has the ‘decision-making power’
point 3
Marxists believe that traditional gender roles play a negative role in society as they benefit the capitalist system
example 3
Zaretsky sees the traditional division of labour in the home as part of the oppressive capitalist system, exploiting women, alienating men and dividing people into privatised families which keeps them from unifying as one community.
explain 3
This shows that gender roles plays a negative role in society as they break up society into two half’s in order to not threaten the capitalist system.
counter 3
New rights see the nuclear family that includes traditional gender roles is the ideal family type that is the most functional in society.
point 4
Marxist-feminists argue that traditional gender roles benefit both men and the capitalist system because men take out their anger at the capitalist system from their job onto their wives which lowers the chance of threatening the capitalist system through an up rise.
example 4
Ansley argued that in the nuclear family When wives play their traditional role as takers of shit, they often absorb their husbands’ legitimate anger and frustration at their own powerlessness and oppression. With every worker provided with a sponge to soak up his possible revolutionary ire, the bosses rest more secure.
explain 4
This shows that gender roles have a negative impact in society as they are only used to not threaten the capitalist system through using women as a safety valve for men’s anger against their system
