resources and decision making

• What does sociological evidence suggest about resource sharing in families?

  Resources are not shared equally within families
• What did Kempson (1994) find about women in low-income families?

  They often go without basic needs like food
• What are the two key methods of controlling family finances identified by Pahl and Vogler (2007)?

  Allowance system and pooling system
• How does the allowance system restrict women?

  Women have access to a limited sum of money
• What does the pooling system imply about financial decisions in households?

  Men still make major financial decisions
• What did Edgell (1980) claim about women's decision-making in families?

  Women are restricted to minor spending decisions
• What types of spending were men responsible for according to Edgell (1980)?

  Significant spending on homes and cars
• What do feminists argue about gender socialization and family decision-making?

  It leads women to accept subordinate positions
• What do feminists believe is necessary to change women's roles in family finances?

  Challenge stereotypes and change social attitudes
• What recent government policies aim to empower women in decision-making?

  Childcare support and shared parental leave
• What do some sociologists argue about the importance of money in family power dynamics?

  We attach too much importance to money
• What perspective does Smart (2007) offer regarding finances in gay and lesbian households?

  Finances are seen as practical, not dominant
• What did Weeks (2001) find about pooling situations in households?

  There are often three pots of money available
• How does the three-pot system empower partners in financial decisions?

  It allows personal spending with their own share
• What argument is made about equality in contributions to the household?

  Equality does not mean identical contributions
• What do Functionalist sociologists like Parsons argue about women's roles?

  Women's expressive role is vital to society
• What do Functionalists believe about men's roles in the family?

  Men tend towards the instrumental role
• What is the debate surrounding inequalities in resource allocation and decision-making?

  Whether inequalities are appropriate given contributions
• Why is it difficult to make assertions about family decision-making?

  Family types are diverse and complex
• What is a criticism of the Feminist assertion regarding women's work outside the home?

  It undermines women's natural expressive role