March of progress view

• What is the symmetrical family?

  • (Willmott & young) - Family life is gradually improving for all its members and becoming more equal.
  • There has been a long term movement away from segregated conjugal roles and a movement towards joint conjugal roles an a ‘symmetrical family.
• What are the three key features of the symmetrical family?

  • Women are going to work.
  • Men are helping out more wit childcare & housework.
  • Couples are now spending their leisure time together instead of separately.
• According to Willmott & young, according to a study from East London, what type of couples were more likely to be symmetrical?

  • Younger Couples
  • Couples who were geographically isolated
  • More affluent couples (richer)
• What are the four main reasons for the increase in equality in families?

  • Changes in women’s position
  • Geographical mobility - move due to job in new place
  • New technology - e.g microwave, making life easier & quicker
  • Higher standard of living - dual earners means more income & higher standard of living
• what did the Future Foundations study reveal?

  • out of 1000 adults, 60% of men do more housework than their fathers, and 75% of women do less than their mothers.