Somerville

• Somerville says women's position has changed significantly with better access to jobs, divorce, control over fertility and having the option to choose living arrangements
• Lesbian couples


  • Share childcare tasks more equally and reported higher levels of satisfaction within their domestic arrangements than non-lesbian couples
• Lesbian couples


  • There is evidence of symmetry in regards to housework, childcare and careers
• Gender scripts


  The reason for symmetry in lesbian couples regarding housework, childcare and careers
• Functionalist Parsons


  • Both genders have biological roles suited to them meaning they should serve specific tasks within the home (e.g. women - expressive, child bearers; men - instrumental, labourers)
• New Right


  • Equality is not always a good thing as children are neglected and women are overworked
• Women's position


  • Has changed significantly with better access to jobs, divorce, control over fertility and having the option to choose living arrangements
• Equality is well on its way to being reached within the family and society, making gradual progress and aiming to change behaviours through legislation such as The Equal Pay Act 1970, The Equality Act 2010, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975