The Division of Labour in the Family (Families and Households)

Question 1

What does the term Symmetrical Family mean?

Who first developed it?

Answer 1

• The roles and responsibilities are symmetrical e.g. both have a career, smaller extended kin networks
• Privatised
• Young and Wilmott

Question 2

Define ‘Conjugal Roles’

Answer 2

The separation of a couple’s households roles, depending on their gender

Question 3

Define ‘Domestic Division of Labour’

Answer 3

The way that domestic work is divided out between partners

Question 4

Define ‘Egalitarian Marriage’

Answer 4

A marriage where power is equally distributed e.g. they both earn good wages

Question 5

According to Young and Wilmott, what four social changes led to the family becoming less patriarchal and more symmetrical?

Answer 5

• Slum clearance programmes
• Greater educational and job opportunities
• Women entered the labour force
• Women acquired more power and confidence

Question 6

How did Slum Clearance Programmes lead to a more symmetrical family?

Answer 6

• Broke up extended kin by moving small nuclear family units to council homes.
• This makes partners’ roles more egalitarian because they only have one other adult to rely on so they perhaps become more supportive to each other