Topic 1: couples

Term

Definition

Domestic division of labour

The way household tasks are divided between men and women.

Instrumental role

The male breadwinner who provides for the family (Parsons, 1955).

Expressive role

The female caregiver who provides emotional support and nurtures the family (Parsons, 1955).

Bott's conjugal roles

The distinction between segregated and joint conjugal roles (Bott, 1957).

Segregated conjugal roles

Roles divided between male breadwinner and female homemaker with separate leisure time.

Joint conjugal roles

Couples sharing tasks like housework and childcare and spending leisure time together.

March of Progress view

The belief that family life is gradually becoming more equal and democratic.

Symmetrical family

A family in which the roles of husbands and wives are more alike (Young & Willmott, 1973).

Feminist view on family

Argues family remains patriarchal; women still do most domestic and emotional labour.

Ann Oakley (1974) findings

Found only 15% of husbands had a high level of participation in housework.

Dual burden

Women carry the burden of paid work and unpaid domestic labour.

Triple shift

Women perform paid work, domes