Couples

• Overview on Couples and Division of Domestic Labour


  Sociologists have different opinions on how couples do and should divide up domestic labour. They also have different opinions on how decision making happens. Finally, some sociologists believe domestic violence results from patriarchy (Dobash and Dobash), whereas others believe it’s cause by stress from being poor (Wilkinson).
• DOMESTIC DIVISION OF LABOUR - Parsons

  Men and women have biologically suited roles that are functional for society:

  Expressive role - Women = Homemaker (involves cooking, cleaning and looking after children)

  Instrumental role - Men = Breadwinner (involves paid work, earning the income for the family)
• DOMESTIC DIVISION OF LABOUR - Willmott and Young


  There are now more symmetrical families as a result of increased joint conjugal roles
• ARE COUPLES MORE EQUAL? - March of Progress


  The ‘new man’ means couples have an equal share of housework and childcare.
• ARE COUPLES MORE EQUAL? - Dual Burden


  Women now do paid work and domestic work (Ann Oakley)
• ARE COUPLES MORE EQUAL? - Triple Shift


  Women not only carry the dual burden of paid and domestic work, but also have to do the emotional work (Duncombe and Marsden)
• DECISION MAKING - Material Explanation


  Men have more power in decision making because they earn more.
• DECISION MAKING - Cultural Explanation


  Gender role socialisation instils the view that men are the primary decision makers.
• DOMESTIC ABUSE - Dobash and Dobash


  Marriage and the nuclear family is the key institution of patriarchy, and the main source of women's oppression. Domestic violence is inevitable because it serves to preserve the power men have over women.
• DOMESTIC ABUSE - Ansley


  Domestic violence is the product of capitalism: males workers are exploited at work and take their frustration out on their wives.
• DOMESTIC ABUSE - Wilkinson

  Domestic violence is the result of stress on the family caused by social inequality.
• DOMESTIC DIVISION OF LABOUR - Bott

  Segregated conjugal roles - Division of labour between men and women, couple spends leisure time separately

  Joint conjugal roles - couples share domestic tasks and leisure time.