Theorists - Symmetrical Family

Question 1

KEY THEORISTS - FERRI AND SMITH (1996): CHANGE TO THE SYMMETRICAL FAMILY.

What did they find?

Answer 1

• That in almost all households, women took the main responsibility of childcare even when they are the sole breadwinner.

Question 2

KEY THEORIST - OAKLEY (1974): CHANGE TO THE SYMMETRICAL FAMILY

Who did their study criticise?

Answer 2

• Willmott and Young.

Question 3

KEY THEORIST - OAKLEY (1974): CHANGE TO THE SYMMETRICAL FAMILY

What did they find?

Answer 3

• There was no evidence of the symmetrical family, and the TNF was still common.
• The mother and father only share in pleasurable tasks such as playing with the children at the weekend.

Question 4

KEY THEORISTS - WADE AND HETHERINGTON (1993): CHANGE TO THE SYMMETRICAL FAMILY

What did they find?

Answer 4

• Sex stereotyping in tasks was common - the men would only carry out ‘feminine’ tasks when the woman was not around.
• However, we are starting to see a slight change in younger men.

Question 5

KEY THEORIST - GURSHUNY (1992 AND 1999): CHANGE THE SYMMETRICAL FAMILY

What do they believe?
Give at least two examples.

Answer 5

At least two examples from:

• relationships are more equal in terms of roles - reason: more women working full time.
• there has been a gradual change in roles.
• women have a dual burden - even if they are in paid work they do more domestic work.
• if women are employed men tend to take more of a responsibility for the housework.

Question 6

KEY THEORIST - GURSHUNY (1992 AND 1999): CHANGE THE SYMMETRICAL FAMILY

What evidence do they give to suggest that there has been a change in how roles are shared in the family?
Give at least two examples.

Answer 6

At least two examples from:
Unemployed women - 83% of the housework
Part-time employed women - 82% of the housework
Full-time employed women - 73% of the housework

Question 7

KEY THEORIST - CROMPTON (1997): CHANGE TO THE SYMMETRICAL FAMILY

What do they believe?

Answer 7

• Increase in the symmetrical family is due to economic change rather than a change in values.
• Women’s increased earnings give women more power in the family.
• In most families, women earn less than men so there is still an unequal division of labour.

Question 8

KEY THEORISTS - SILVER (1987) AND SCHLOR (1993): CHANGE TO THE SYMMETRICAL FAMILY

What do they believe?

Answer 8

There are other economic factors that have led to the reduction in housework for women:

1) Commercialisation of housework - washing machine.
2) More women are in paid employment - allows them to buy items such as washing machines and dishwashers.

Question 9

KEY THEORISTS - SILVER (1987) AND SCHLOR (1993): CHANGE TO THE SYMMETRICAL FAMILY

How can their ideas be criticised?
Give at least one example.

Answer 9

At least one from:

1) Working class women may not be able to afford these items.
2) There can still be an unequal division of labour
3) Housework still exists even if you can afford commercialised products.