Power dynamic

Question 1

Decision making

Answer 1

Edgell- found that the decisions in nuclear families that were seen as less important were taken by women eg. clothes and shopping and the very important- important decisions were taken by men (vi- financial decisions by men) (i- childs school by both but men had final say)

Dunne’s study on lesbian couples found that the higher paid partner generally got to make the decisions.
Hakim- underestimating women’s power to make rational decisions

Question 2

Emotion work

Answer 2

Duncombe and marsden- argue women take up majority of the emotion work in addition to paid work and responsibility for housework and childcare. women work a ‘triple shift’
talcott parsons- distribution of labour stabilises the nuclear family as it gives men and women clear and distinct social roles. women are responsible for emotional care and socialisation of the kids where as the husband is responsible for the economic welfare and protection.

Question 3

Willmott and young

Answer 3

power dynamics are equal in the symmetrical family (a type of nuclear family) in which men and women play similar roles to each other