Family : Research Studies - Duncombe and Marsden

• Research Studies

  Duncombe and Marsden carried out research on 40 middle class couples and found that women felt emotionally deserted by their husbands. They found that women felt that they were carrying out a demanding triple shift; paid work housework and emotion work. Emotion work includes caring for family members. Further research in 1995 reinforces earlier studies that revealed inequalities of power and domestic responsibilities. They add to this the finding that women believe they make the primary emotional investment in the family and marriage.
• Research Studies

  Duncombe and Marsden

  Many of their female respondents complained that their husbands were indifferent to their role and holding the relationship together. The option of this according to the orders is that women are frequently settled with a triple shift of obligations outside work, housework and emotional work. This supports the claims by all feminists that the family exploits women.