Symmetrical family

• According to Willmott & Young (1973) families were becoming more symmetrical: they saw this as the third stage in a march of progress where a new norm of having shared conjugal roles was developing. This was happening through stratified diffusion (I.e. something becomes the norm making higher-status groups, and then trickles down the rest of society)
• However, Willmott & Young‘s research was strongly criticised by feminist Ann Oakley who points out that they considered a family symmetrical when the husband “helps” with the housework; this could be completing quite minimal domestic chores