DDOL - cultural/material explanation

Question 1

What does a cultural explanation of gendered division of labour mean?

Answer 1

Labour is determined by patriarchal norms and values that shape gendered roles; women perform more domestic labour because society expects them/has socialised them to do

Question 2

What are the three studies as evidence for the cultural explanation?

Answer 2

• Gershuny (socialisation)
• British Attitudes Survey (shift in social attitudes)
• Dunne (Sexuality)

Question 3

What is the main principle of Gershuny’s evidence for the cultural explanation?

Answer 3

Couples whose parents had a more equal relationship were likely to share housework more equally; parental role models are important. Social values are gradually adapting (women work full time) - ‘lagged adaption’

Question 4

What is the main principle of The British Attitudes Survey’s evidence for the cultural explanation?

Answer 4

Shift in social attitudes - less than 10% of 35s agreed with traditional division of labour vs. 30% of over 65s. March of progress and changes in gender role socialisation and younger groups favour more equal relationships

Question 5

What is the main principle of Dunne’s evidence for the cultural explanation?

Answer 5

Lesbian couples are more symmetrical, deeply ingrained ‘gender scripts’ that dictate cultural expectations of men and women don’t influence them. Heterosexuals under pressure to conform to these. lesbian couples aren’t linked to particular gender scripts so create more equal relationships

Question 6

What does a material explanation of gendered division of labour mean?

Answer 6

Women’s generally lower earning mean it is economically rational for women to do more housework while men spend more time earning money.

Question 7

What are the three studies as evidence for the material explanation?

Answer 7

• Man Ye Kan (CPOW)
• Arber and Gin (High standards of living)
• Silver and Schor (New technology)

Question 8

What is the main principle of Mann Ye Kan’s evidence for the material explanation?

Answer 8

CPOW - for every £10,000 a year more a women earns, she does two hours less housework per week

Question 9

What is the main principle of Arber and Gin’s evidence for the material explanation?

Answer 9

Higher standard of living - greater equality depends on the social class position women are in. middle class women: afford full-day childcare when they go to work, help with domestic work (time saving devices), Working class women cannot, stuck in vicious cycle of childcare responsibilities and low-paid part time work.

Question 10

What is the main principle of Silver and Schor’s evidence for the material explanation?

Answer 10

New technology - housework has become ‘commercialised’, goods and services housewives had to produce themselves are now mass produced. Freezers, microwave ovens, ready meals reduce amount of domestic labour to be done, burden of housework has decreased