Relationship Dynamics

Question 1

Functionalists

Answer 1

Parsons:
- distribution of labour stabilises families as there are distinct roles (husband instrumental & wife expressive)
- Different roles but equally balanced
Young & Wilmott:
- Domestic roles segregated in working class East London (1950s)
- by 1970s marriage dynamics undergone transformations towards more symmetrical families

Question 2

Feminists

Answer 2

Oakley (1974):
- research malestream sociology
- many studies ignored domestic work
Thomson (2013):
- 8/10 married women did more chores than men
- showed that when women asked when not in presence of husband, family seemed more symmetrical