Functionalist View on Couples: Parsons' Perspective (1955)

This page delves into Talcott Parsons' functionalist view on couples from 1955, which emphasizes a clear division of labor in nuclear families.

Key points of Parsons' theory:

• Nuclear families have segregated roles for men and women
• Men take on the instrumental role as breadwinners
• Women fulfill the expressive role as homemakers and primary caregivers

Definition: The instrumental role involves providing financial support for the family, while the expressive role focuses on meeting the family's emotional needs and socializing children.

Parsons argues that this division is based on biological differences and benefits both the family and society.

Criticisms of Parsons' view:

• Young & Willmott (1962) argue that it ignores the trend towards more shared domestic roles
• Feminists reject the idea that this division is natural, claiming it primarily benefits men

Example: In Parsons' model, a husband might work full-time in a corporate job to provide income, while his wife manages the household and cares for the children.

The page also introduces Bott's (1957) concepts of conjugal roles:

• Segregated conjugal roles: Separate tasks and leisure activities for husbands and wives
• Joint conjugal roles: Shared tasks and leisure time between partners

Vocabulary: Conjugal roles refer to the patterns of task division and interaction between married partners or long-term couples.

The Symmetrical Family and Feminist Critiques

This page explores the concept of the symmetrical family and presents feminist critiques of the domestic division of labor.

Young & Willmott's (1972) symmetrical family theory:

• Proposes a "march of progress" view where families are becoming more equal and democratic
• Argues for a long-term trend away from separate roles towards joint roles
• Identifies factors contributing to this shift, such as women's increased participation in the workforce and technological advancements

Quote: "A march of progress view, the family is gradually improving for members- turning more equal and democratic."

Feminist perspective on housework:

• Rejects the march of progress view, arguing that families remain unequal
• Oakley (1974) criticizes Young & Willmott for exaggerating the extent of symmetry in families
• Warde & Hetherington (1993) find that domestic tasks remain largely sex-typed

Example: Wives are 30 times more likely to have last done the laundry, while husbands are 4 times more likely to have last washed the car.

The page highlights the ongoing debate about whether increased female participation in the workforce has led to a more equal division of domestic labor.

Highlight: The concept of the "dual burden" suggests that women often bear the responsibility of both paid work and domestic duties.

Debating the Impact of Women's Employment on Domestic Labor

This page presents contrasting views on how women's increased participation in paid work has affected the division of domestic labor.

March of progress perspective:

• Argues that women's employment leads to a more equal division of household labor
• Suggests men are becoming more involved in childcare and housework

Example: Gershuny (1994) found that women working full-time did less domestic work than other women, indicating a move towards symmetry.

Opposing view:

• Contends that women's employment hasn't significantly equalized domestic labor
• Introduces the concept of the "dual burden" for women

Vocabulary: The dual burden refers to the situation where women are responsible for both paid work and the majority of domestic duties.

British Social Attitudes Survey (2013) findings:

• Men did an average of 8 hours of housework per week, while women did 13 hours
• Men spent 10 hours caring for family members, compared to women's 23 hours
• 60% of women felt they did more than their fair share of domestic work

Highlight: Despite some progress, women still perform approximately twice as much domestic labor as men.

The page also notes that traditional gender roles persist in task allocation, with women doing more laundry and men handling small repairs.

Quote: "Allan (1985) argues women's tasks like washing are less intrinsically fascinating - survey doesn't measure the qualitative differences in men/women's tasks."