Sociology- Conjugal Roles

What are Parsons (functionalist) instrumental and expressive roles?

Husband has the instrumental role (the breadwinner), whilst the wife has the expressive role (primary socialisation of kids). These are based on biological differences.

What does Bott believe about joint and segregated conjugal roles?

Two types of conjugal roles, segregated (roles are separate) and joint (roles are shared).

What do Wilmott and Young believe about the symmetrical family?

March of Progress view, believe that we are moving towards a more symmetrical family. Roles of husbands and wives are similar. Found out through a study of families in London that the symmetrical family is more common within younger, geographically and socially isolated couples.

What is Oakley's view of the symmetrical family?

Husbands helping once a week is not equal. (15% have a high participation in housework, and 25% have a high participation in childcare).

What do Warde/Hetherington believe about domestic tasks?

Sextyping of domestic tasks remain strong, men would only carry out 'female tasks' when women were not around.

What is the impact of paid work on conjugal roles?

Women are potentially becoming a dual burden.

What is the cultural explanation of the division of labour?

Equality will only be achieved when norms about gender roles change, Dunne: lesbian couples are more likely to share housework. Gershuny: couples whose parents had an equal relationship are more likely to share housework.

What is the material explanation of the division of labour?

If women join the labour force and earns equal, distributing housework should be equal. Kan: every £10,000 more a woman earns, she does 2 hours less housework a week.

What is found out about money management?

Pahl and Vogler identify two types of control over family income: allowance system and pooling.

What did Pahl and Vogler find out about decision making in the family?

When there is pooling, men make most of the important financial decisions.

Who takes responsibility for children?

Boulton points out that although Fathers may help out with childcare, Mothers take responsibility for childs security. Ferri and Smith found fathers took responsibility in less than 4% of families.

What do feminists argue about emotion work and the triple shift?

Arlie Russel Hochschild says taking responsibility for other family members is emotion work, women have to do this whilst also regulating their own emotions. Duncombe and Marsden argue that women have to perform a triple shift (housework, paid work and emotion work).

What does Southerton argue about quality time?

Men are more likely to experience uninterrupted leisure time than women.

What does Edgells say about decision making?

Very important decisions were made by men, important decisions made by both, less important decisions made by women.

What is the personal life perspective on money?

- The personal life perspective focuses on the meanings couples give to who controls the money

Smart: same sec couples do not see money as power because there is greater freedom within the couples.

What do Dobash and Dobash argue about domestic violence?

Domestic violence does not occur randomly.

What do Walby and Allen argue about domestic violence?

Women are more likely to be victims of multiple abuse incidents.

What do Millett and Firestone argue about domestic violence? (Radical Feminists)

It is inevitable in a patriarchal society, it is why police are reluctant to deal with reported cases.

What do Wilkinson and Pickett argue about domestic violence? (Materialist Explanation)

It is a result of stress in the family because of the unequal society we live in.