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What is Young and Wilmott’s ‘March of Progress’ view ?
They see the family as gradually improving for all its members becoming more equal and democratic.
They argue that there has been a long-term trend away from segregated conjugal roles and towards joint conjugal roles.
The symmetrical family suggests that both partners contribute to work and domestic responsibilities, leading to a more balanced and cooperative family dynamic.
Women are now in paid employment, although this might be part-time rather than full time.
Men now help with childcare and housework.
Couples now spend leisure time together.
Young and Wilmott see the rise of the symmetrical family as result of social changes that have taken place during the last century:
Changes in women’s positions
Geographical mobility
New technology
Higher standards of living
What is the evaluation of Young and Wilmott’s ‘March of Progress’ view ?
Feminists argue little has changed: men and women still remain unequal within the family and women still do most housework.
Ann Oakley found only 15% of husbands had a high level of participation in housework.
Mary Boulton found that fewer than 20% of husbands had a major role in childcare.
New Right thinkers would argue the ‘symmetrical family’ is problematic and would cause social disruption.
They believe traditional gender roles are more natural and beneficial for social stability.
What is Parsons Instrumental and Expressive roles ?
In traditional nuclear families, the roles of husbands and wives are segregated.
The husband has the instrumental role geared towards achieving success at work so that he can provide for his family financially.
The wife has an expressive role geared towards primary socialisation of children and meeting the family’s emotional needs. The wife is the homemaker and the full time housewife.
Parsons argues that the division of labour is based on biological differences with women naturally suited to the nurturing role and men to be the provider.
He claims that the division of labour was beneficial to both the men and women, to their children and wider society.
Feminists reject Parsons view that the division of labour is natural. They argue it benefits men at the expense of women.
Feminists argue these roles are not natural but something created by a patriarchal society.
Young and Wilmott argue that men are now taking a greater share of domestic tasks and more wives are becoming wage earners.
What is Crompton and Lyonette’s reasons for gender division ?
Crompton and Lyonette identify two different explanations for the unequal division of labour:
Cultural explanation of inequality- attitudes and values are passed down to each generation. They believe patriarchal norms shape the gender roles in our culture. Women take on domestic labour because of societal expectations and the socialisation of values.
Material explanation for inequality- the fact women generally earn less than men mean it’s more economically rationale for women to do more housework, while men spend more of their time earning money.
What is the personal life perspective?
They believe one partner
