The domestic division of labour has significantly shaped gender roles... Show more
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Parsons' View on Family Roles
Talcott Parsons' "The Social Structure of the Family" outlined distinct roles for husbands and wives in nuclear families:
- Husbands have an instrumental role - focused on work outside the home to financially support the family as breadwinners
- Wives have an expressive role - providing primary socialization for children and meeting the family's emotional needs as homemakers
Parsons argued these roles were based on biological differences between men and women. He claimed this division benefited men, women, children, and wider society by creating stability.
Definition: The instrumental function in sociology refers to task-oriented roles focused on achieving practical goals, while expressive roles focus on maintaining relationships and emotional wellbeing.
Highlight: Parsons' functionalist theory assumes an unequal domestic division of labor is natural and beneficial, a view heavily critiqued by feminist sociologists.
Conjugal Roles in Marriage
Sociologists have examined how marital roles have changed over time:
Elizabeth Bott identified two types of conjugal roles:
- Segregated - separate roles for husbands and wives
- Joint - shared tasks and leisure time
Young and Willmott took a "march of progress" view, arguing families were becoming more equal:
- 1950s study found very separate roles in working-class families
- By 1973, they claimed joint conjugal roles and "symmetrical families" were emerging
Example: In segregated roles, men might spend leisure time at the pub while women socialize with female relatives. Joint roles involve couples sharing housework and spending free time together.
Highlight: The concept of "symmetrical families" with more equal roles has been influential but also critiqued as overly optimistic.
Feminist Critiques of Housework Equality
Feminist critiques of housework equality argue that despite some changes, significant inequalities in domestic labor persist:
- Ann Oakley found Young and Willmott's claims of symmetrical families were exaggerated: Only 15% of husbands had high participation in housework Only 25% had high participation in childcare
- Boulton's research showed less than 20% of fathers had a major role in childcare Argued studies focus too much on specific tasks rather than overall responsibility
- Warde and Hetherington found men would only do "female" tasks when partners were absent However, noted changing attitudes in younger men
Quote: "There's no sign of a 'new man' who equals the share of housework" - Feminist perspective
Highlight: Feminist sociologists argue that women's entry into paid work has not led to an equal redistribution of domestic labor.
Impact of Paid Work on Domestic Division of Labor
Research on how women's increased participation in paid work affects the domestic division of labor shows mixed results:
Arguments for increased equality:
- Gershuny: Women working full-time leads to more equal division at home
- Sullivan: Trend of women doing less housework and men doing more
Arguments against increased equality:
- Concept of the "dual burden" - women doing paid work and most unpaid domestic tasks
- Ferri and Smith: Less than 4% of fathers took primary responsibility for childcare
- Braun et al: Most fathers still had a "provider ideology"
Vocabulary: "Dual burden" refers to women's responsibility for both paid employment and unpaid domestic work.
Example: Hochschild's concept of "emotion work" highlights how women often manage family members' emotions in addition to practical tasks.
Highlight: The impact of women's paid work on household roles remains debated, with evidence of both change and continuity.
Gender Division of Labor: Explanations
Crompton and Lyonette identify two main explanations for the persistent unequal division of domestic labor:
- Cultural explanations: Patriarchal norms socialize women into domestic roles Gershuny: Parents' more equal relationships influence children's later division of labor Kan: Younger men do more housework
- Material explanations: Women's lower pay used to justify doing more housework Kan: For every £10,000 more a woman earns, she does 2 hours less housework per week
Example: Dunne found lesbian couples often had more symmetrical relationships due to the absence of heterosexual "gender scripts."
Highlight: Both cultural norms and economic factors contribute to the persistent gender division of domestic labor.
Value of Unpaid Work and Economic Impact
While not directly addressed in the transcript, it's important to consider:
- Women's unpaid work statistics show they perform a disproportionate share of household and care work
- The value of women's unpaid work is substantial but often overlooked in economic measures
- Unpaid care and domestic work has significant impacts on women's labor force participation and earnings
Highlight: Recognizing and valuing unpaid domestic and care work is crucial for understanding gender inequality and economic contributions.
Domestic Division of Labor
The domestic division of labor refers to how household tasks and childcare responsibilities are shared between partners. Talcott Parsons' family theory from 1959 proposed distinct roles for husbands and wives based on biological differences, but this view has been heavily critiqued by feminist sociologists.
Key points:
- Parsons argued husbands have an instrumental role as breadwinners while wives have an expressive role focused on emotional needs and childcare
- This traditional model assumes an unequal division of domestic labor
- More recent sociological research examines if family roles have become more equal over time
- Feminist critiques highlight persistent inequalities in housework and childcare responsibilities
- The impact of women's increased participation in paid work on domestic roles remains debated
Highlight: Understanding changing family roles and the division of household labor provides insight into gender inequality in society.
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Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
What Happens at Home: How We Share Chores and Gender Roles
The domestic division of labour has significantly shaped gender rolesover time, with varying perspectives on housework equality and changes in conjugal roles. This summary explores key sociological views on the topic, from Parsons' traditional model to feminist critiques and... Show more
Parsons' View on Family Roles
Talcott Parsons' "The Social Structure of the Family" outlined distinct roles for husbands and wives in nuclear families:
- Husbands have an instrumental role - focused on work outside the home to financially support the family as breadwinners
- Wives have an expressive role - providing primary socialization for children and meeting the family's emotional needs as homemakers
Parsons argued these roles were based on biological differences between men and women. He claimed this division benefited men, women, children, and wider society by creating stability.
Definition: The instrumental function in sociology refers to task-oriented roles focused on achieving practical goals, while expressive roles focus on maintaining relationships and emotional wellbeing.
Highlight: Parsons' functionalist theory assumes an unequal domestic division of labor is natural and beneficial, a view heavily critiqued by feminist sociologists.
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Access to all documents
Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Conjugal Roles in Marriage
Sociologists have examined how marital roles have changed over time:
Elizabeth Bott identified two types of conjugal roles:
- Segregated - separate roles for husbands and wives
- Joint - shared tasks and leisure time
Young and Willmott took a "march of progress" view, arguing families were becoming more equal:
- 1950s study found very separate roles in working-class families
- By 1973, they claimed joint conjugal roles and "symmetrical families" were emerging
Example: In segregated roles, men might spend leisure time at the pub while women socialize with female relatives. Joint roles involve couples sharing housework and spending free time together.
Highlight: The concept of "symmetrical families" with more equal roles has been influential but also critiqued as overly optimistic.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Feminist Critiques of Housework Equality
Feminist critiques of housework equality argue that despite some changes, significant inequalities in domestic labor persist:
- Ann Oakley found Young and Willmott's claims of symmetrical families were exaggerated: Only 15% of husbands had high participation in housework Only 25% had high participation in childcare
- Boulton's research showed less than 20% of fathers had a major role in childcare Argued studies focus too much on specific tasks rather than overall responsibility
- Warde and Hetherington found men would only do "female" tasks when partners were absent However, noted changing attitudes in younger men
Quote: "There's no sign of a 'new man' who equals the share of housework" - Feminist perspective
Highlight: Feminist sociologists argue that women's entry into paid work has not led to an equal redistribution of domestic labor.
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Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Impact of Paid Work on Domestic Division of Labor
Research on how women's increased participation in paid work affects the domestic division of labor shows mixed results:
Arguments for increased equality:
- Gershuny: Women working full-time leads to more equal division at home
- Sullivan: Trend of women doing less housework and men doing more
Arguments against increased equality:
- Concept of the "dual burden" - women doing paid work and most unpaid domestic tasks
- Ferri and Smith: Less than 4% of fathers took primary responsibility for childcare
- Braun et al: Most fathers still had a "provider ideology"
Vocabulary: "Dual burden" refers to women's responsibility for both paid employment and unpaid domestic work.
Example: Hochschild's concept of "emotion work" highlights how women often manage family members' emotions in addition to practical tasks.
Highlight: The impact of women's paid work on household roles remains debated, with evidence of both change and continuity.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Gender Division of Labor: Explanations
Crompton and Lyonette identify two main explanations for the persistent unequal division of domestic labor:
- Cultural explanations: Patriarchal norms socialize women into domestic roles Gershuny: Parents' more equal relationships influence children's later division of labor Kan: Younger men do more housework
- Material explanations: Women's lower pay used to justify doing more housework Kan: For every £10,000 more a woman earns, she does 2 hours less housework per week
Example: Dunne found lesbian couples often had more symmetrical relationships due to the absence of heterosexual "gender scripts."
Highlight: Both cultural norms and economic factors contribute to the persistent gender division of domestic labor.
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Value of Unpaid Work and Economic Impact
While not directly addressed in the transcript, it's important to consider:
- Women's unpaid work statistics show they perform a disproportionate share of household and care work
- The value of women's unpaid work is substantial but often overlooked in economic measures
- Unpaid care and domestic work has significant impacts on women's labor force participation and earnings
Highlight: Recognizing and valuing unpaid domestic and care work is crucial for understanding gender inequality and economic contributions.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Domestic Division of Labor
The domestic division of labor refers to how household tasks and childcare responsibilities are shared between partners. Talcott Parsons' family theory from 1959 proposed distinct roles for husbands and wives based on biological differences, but this view has been heavily critiqued by feminist sociologists.
Key points:
- Parsons argued husbands have an instrumental role as breadwinners while wives have an expressive role focused on emotional needs and childcare
- This traditional model assumes an unequal division of domestic labor
- More recent sociological research examines if family roles have become more equal over time
- Feminist critiques highlight persistent inequalities in housework and childcare responsibilities
- The impact of women's increased participation in paid work on domestic roles remains debated
Highlight: Understanding changing family roles and the division of household labor provides insight into gender inequality in society.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user