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.