More equal?

• Impact of paid work.

  Oakley’s 70’s study was only on housewives, most women now work.

  1. Does this mean men do more house work now? (Mop)
  2. Do women now carry dual burden / triple shift? (Fem)
• March of progress view


  Like Young & Willmott, recent sociologists argue men are more likely to take up domestic tasks because women work.

  • Gershuny (1994): argues women working full time leads to more equal DOL, these women do less domestic work than other women (time studies)
• Feminist View


  Women going into paid work hasn’t led to greater equality in DOL with little sign of the ‘new man’.

  BSA survey supports this:

  • M 8hr vs W 13hr housework/week.
  • M 10hr vs W 23hr family care/week.
  • 60% W thought DOL was unjust.
• Responsibility for children


  BSA survey only looks at the quantifiable aspects such as time & who but not responsibility.

  • Boulton: Fathers help but mothers are responsible.
  • Ferri & Smith: fathers are responsible for childcare in <4% families.
  • Dex & Ward: 78% fathers play with children but only 1% look after sick children.