couples

• parsons:instrumental and expressive roles

  • husband has an instrumental role- achieve success at work, breadwinner
  • wife has an expressive role- primary socialisation of the children and meet the family emotional needs, homemaker, housewife
  • based on biological difference - women 'naturally' suited to the nurturing role. this is beneficial for both parents, children and wider society
• criticism of parson:instrumental and expressive role

  young and Willmott - men are now taking greater share of domestic task and more wives are becoming wage earners

  feminists- division of labour only benefits men
• Joint and segregated conjugal roles (Bott)


  • segregated conjugal roles - couples have separated roles and spend leisure activities are separated
  • joint - couples share tasks like housework and childcare and spend leisure activities together
  • men spend leisure time with workmates in pubs and working mens club
  • women were full time housewives, helped by their female relatives. limited leisure spent with female kin