Domestic Division of Labour

• Parsons

  • men and women have biologically suited roles that are functional for society
  • expressive role: women = homemaker (cooking, cleaning and looking after children)
  • instrumental role: men = breadwinner (paid work, earning the income for the family)
• 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
• Willmott and Young

  • there are now more symmetrical families as a result of increased joint conjugal roles