Topic 1 - Couples - The Domestic Division of Labour

Parsons (1955), functionalist model of family - clear division of laour between spouses:

- Husband - instrumental role: geared towards achieving success at work so that he can procide for the family financially - breadwinner
- Wife - expressive role: geared towards primary socialisation of children + meeting emotional needs of family. Homemaker, full-time housewife rather than wage-earner

Parsons argues this division of labour based on bio differences - women 'naturally' suited to nurturing role, and men that of provider. Claims this to be beneficial to both men and women, to their children + to wider society - some NR also hold this view (conservative)

Criticisms:
 - Young and Willmott (1962) argue men taking greater share of domestic tasks + more wives becoming wage earners
 - Feminist socio's reject P's view that DOV natural. Argue only benefits men

Bott (1957): 2 types of conjugal roles (roles w/in marriage):
 - segregated: where couple have separate roles - male breadwinner + female homemaker (Parsons instrumental + expressive roles). Leisure activities also separate
 - joint: couple share tasks eg housework + childcare and spend leisure time together

Y+W identified pattern of segregated conjugal roles in study of traditional w/c extended families in Bethnal green, east London (1950s). Typical segregated roles + limited leisure time women had also spent w/ female kin

Young + Willmott (1973) - march of progress view of history of family. See family as gradually improving for all members, becoming more equal + democratic. Argue long-term trend away from segregated conjugal roles  -> joint roles + symmetrical family.

Conjugal roles not identical, but more similar: women go out to work, but may be part time, mean now help with housework + childcare, couples now spend leisure time together instead of separately

Study of families in London, Y+W found symmetrical family more common among younger couples + geographically isolated couples, and more affluent. See rise of symmetrical nuclear family as result of major social changes eg changes in women's position, geographic mobility, new tech + higher standards of living - many of which are inter-linked

F's reject 'march of progress' view, argue little has changed. See inequality as stemming from fact that family + society male-dominated, creating a patriarchy, therefore creating a dependency for women on men. 

Ann Oakley (1974) criticises Y+W view of symmetrical family - argues exaggerated claims. Although Y+W found most husband 'helped' wives at least once a week, could be clearing dishes once. In own research, found some evidence of men helping, but no trend towards symmetry. 15% husbands high participation housework, 25% high participation childcare - more likely childcare as more pleasurable

Boulton (1983) evidence to support Oakley - fewer than 20% husbands had major role in childcare + argues Y+W exaggerate men's contributions by looking at tasks involved in childcare rather than responsibilities

Warde + Hetherington found men only carry out routine 'female' tasks when women not around to do them, but slight evidence of change of attitude in younger men