Domestic Division of Labour

Parsons: instrumental and expressive roles

Men  have an instrumental role that is to provide financially for the family through being the breadwinner

Women have an expressive role that is to do the housework and emotion work for the family

These differences are biological and benefit both men and women equally. 

The new right also hold this view

• Young and Willmott ('62) men are taking a bigger role in domestic tasks and women are becoming wage earners
• The division of labour isn't natural and only benefits men

Joint and Segregated Roles (Bott'57)

Segregated conjugal roles- male breadwinner and female house maker. Could include leisure activities.

Joint conjugal roles- couples share tasks in the house and spend leisure time together

The Symmetrical Family

Young and Willmott ('73) 'march of progress'- family is gradually…