Couples Flashcards
(31 cards)
What does Parson’s say about the domestic division of labour?
There are two roles;Instrumental and expressive, based on biological differences (women naturally suited to nurturing role)
instrumental- husband, breadwinner,provider for family
Expressive-wife,housewife, homemaker responsible for socialisation
-This division of labour is beneficial to both men and women
Givr 2 criticisms of Parsons idea of instrumental and expressive roles?
-Young and Willmottfound more men taking on domestic role, more women earning wages
-Feminists argue division is not natural but is there to benefit men
What does Bott say about the domestic division of labour?
Distinguishes between two types of conjugal roles
Segregated conjugal roles- leisure time apart, seperate roles e.g breadwinner,housewife
Joint conjugal roles- Shared tasks e.g housework and childcare, leisure time together
-Argue theres a march of progress with a rise in joint conjugal roles
How do Young and Willmott’s study support Joint and segregated conjugal roles?
-Family in Bethnal Green that demonstrated separated conjugal roles
-male breadwinner spent leisure time with work colleagues
-Female housewife, only socialised with female kin and spent any leisure time with them, solely responsible for housework
What is Young and Wilmotts view of domestic divison of labour?
-March of progress view through the increase in symettrical families, in which conjugal roles are not identical but more similar
-This improves family life for all members
Give examples of how some families can be seen to be symmetrical
-Most women go to work
-Rise of the ‘new man’ that helps with housework
-Couples now spend leisure time together (joint conjugal roles)
Within which groups are symmetrical families more common?
Younger couples
Geographically and socially isolated
Affluent
What has caused the rise in symmetrical family? (4 points)
-Changes in womens position e.g legislation encouraging women to work
- Labour saving devices; less hosework
-Higher standards of living
-Geographical mobility; moving away from family so less kinship networks for financial support
What is the feminist view of hosework?
Reject march of progress view; women still do most of the housework as the patriarchy works to maintain womens subordination
How does Oakley criticise Wilmott and Youngs symetrical family?
Argue it is exaggerated as men only take on the few pleasurable aspects of domestic labour e.g taking the kids to the park meaning mothers lost the rewards of childcare
On;y 15% of men reported high participation in housework
How do Warde and Hetherington support the feminist view of housework?
Found that specific house tasks remain ‘sex typed’ as men and women more likely to carry out tasks that fit with their gender domain
How does Gershuny support the march of progress view of couples becoming more equal
Argues that women working full time is leading to a more equal division of labour
-Found working women do less housework than non working women
How much more housework do women do compared to men?
Twice as much
What do Duncombe and Marsden believe about the impact of women entering work
Now have triple shift not only dual burden where they have emotional work, domestic work as well as housework
What did Boulton find and how is it supported?
Found that although fathers may help, mothers were responsible for childs wellbeing
-Dex and Ward found only 1% og fathers took responsibility for caring for a sick child
What is the cultural explanation for gender division of labour?
Division of labour determined by patriarchal norms and values that instil the idea that houswork is what women are socialised into and meant to do
What is the material/economic explanation for the gender division of labour?
Women earn less so it is rational for them to look after children whilst men to do the paid work
Give 2pieces of evidence that support the cultural explanation for the gender division of labour
Man Yee Kan- Younger men do more domestic work, shows generational shift
As culture changes, so do behaviours
Dunne- lesbian couples had more symmetrical relationships because of the absence of gender scripts, so not set roles to fall into
-Shows cultural standrds in heterosexual relationships acts as a framework for behaviour
Provide supporting evidence for the material explanation for the gender division of labour
Ramos- in household where
the man is unemployed, he does just as much housework as a female homemaker
What did Kempson find about resources and decision making in low income households?
Women more likely to make sacrifices e.g not going out, eating smaller portions in order to make ends meet
What are the two types of money management in families according to Pahl and Vogler
Allowance system- men give wives an allowance of his salary to satisfy the families needs
Pooling- both partners have access to income and spending e.g joint bank account, more common in dual earner
What did Edgells find about decision making in professional couples (both work fulltime)?
very important descisions (finance, jobs, houses) taken on by husband alone/ jointly with mans final say
-important descions e.g holidays, childrens schools taken jointly/ wife alone
-less important e.g home decor,food,clothes taken on by wife
What are the two explanations for inequalities in decision making
Material explanation; men earn more so make more powerful/important choices
Cultural explanations; feminists argue gender role socialisation teaches men are decision makers leading to inequality
What is the personal life perspective on money in decision making?
Foucuses on the meanings couples give to who controls money e.g controlling money doesnt mean inequality for all couples
Smart- some gay couples attached no importance to control of money it doesnt = inquality in a relationship to them
-Weeks- co-independence in some couples; pooling for houshold spending but seperate accounts for personal spending, particularly among cohabiting couples
