power and dynamics in the relationships

Question 1

what is the functionalist (Parsons) view of power and dynamics in the relationship?

Answer 1

• distribution of labour stabilises because the nuclear unit gives men and women clear and distinct social roles
• the husband is responsible for economic welfare and protection
• the wife is responsible for emotional care and socialisation of children
• he said the power relationship was equally balanced but roles were different

Question 2

what is the functionalist view (Young and Wilmott) of power and dynamics in relatiomship?

Answer 2

• their studies in the 50s of east end of london showed that conjugal roles and domestic labour was clearly segregated.
• however, by the 1970s studies suggested that marriage dynamis had undergone a change and is more likely to be symmetrical or egalitarian.
• thry concluded that these changes had resulted in a new family foem- the symmetrical family - in which men and women play similar roles to one another.

Question 3

feminist response to Young and Wilmott

Answer 3

• Anne Oakley: many sociologists ignored domestic work
• she argued that patriachy was still very much a major part of modern nuclear modern families and that women still occupied a subordinate and dependent role within the family and wider society.
• Ben-Galim and Thompson found that 8/10 married women carried out more household chores than men