Topic 1: Couples Flashcards
Domestic division of labour
The division of tasks within yhr household between partners
What sociologist created conjugal roles
Bott
Segregated conjugal roles
Men and women do their own jobs and have seperate roles.
Joint conjugal roles
Men and women share responsibilities between them
Oakley
interviewed 40 housewives and only 15% of men had a high participation in housework showing that the family is not equal.
Increased female employment meand that women have the dual burden (housework and paid jobs)
Why has registrations of child abuse increased?
People have someone to turn to when they need help, it doesn’t mean that abuse has increased, it just means children can reach out for help.
dark figure of crime
crime that is not reported to the police.
Cheal
Police are reluctant to investigate crimes reported to them because they do not want to get involved in a ‘private’ institution which is the family.
Radical feminist explanation
Domestic violence is a result of patriarchy and allows men to have power and control over women.
They see all men as the enemy and this contributes to the oppression of women.
Critcisms of the radical feminist explanation
They only think about womens views instead of men and children.
17-45% of lesbians have reported having been the victim of domestic abuse showing that women can also abuse.
Not all men are aggressive most of them are against abuse.
Materialist explanation
Wilkinson and Pickett see domestic violence as a result of stress on family members caused by social inequality
Those with lower incomes can be more stressed having unstable relationships.
Poorer families are more likely to be abused.
Criticisms of the materialist explanation
Rich families can still be abused, it’s not just about money.
Doesn’t take patriarchy into account.
