Parsons: Instrumental and Expressive Role:
· Traditional nuclear family, the role of the husbands and wives are segregated – separate and distinct from one another.
· In Parsons’ (1955) model of the family, for example, there is a clear division of labour between the spouses:
Husband – Instrumental Role:
· Geared towards achieving success at work, so he can provide for the family financially – Breadwinner.
Wife – Expressive Role:
· Geared towards primary socialisation of the children and meeting the family’s emotional needs – Homemaker, Full-Time Housewife.
Argument of Division of Labour:
· Parsons argues that the division of labour is based on biological differences – Women are ‘naturally’ suited to the nurturing role – Men to be a provider.
· He claims that this is beneficial to both men and women, to their children and to wider society.
· New Right also hold this view.
Other Sociologist Criticised Parson:
· Young and Willmott (1962) argue that men are now taking a greater share of domestic tasks and more wives are becoming wage earners.
· Feminist Sociologist – rejects Parsons’ view that the division of labour is natural – they argue that it only benefits men.
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