Family in a Nutshell
—————— ( Topic 1 - Couples ) ——————
DOMESTIC DIVISION OF LABOUR
PARSONS:
● Men and women have biologically suited roles that are functional for society:
○ Expressive role - Women = Homemaker (involves cooking, cleaning and looking after
children)
○ Instrumental role - Men = Breadwinner (involves paid work, earning the income for the
family)
BOTT:
● Segregated conjugal roles - Division of labour between men and women, couples spend 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
ARE COUPLES MORE EQUAL?
MARCH OF PROGRESS
● The ‘new man’ means couples have an equal share of housework and childcare.
MARCH OF PROGRESS - Feri and Smith
● Women now do paid work and domestic work.
TRIPLE SHIFT - Dunscombe and Marsden
● Women not only carry the dual burden of paid and domestic work, but also have to do the
emotional work.
ARE COUPLES MORE EQUAL?
MATERIAL EXPLANATION
● Men have more power in decision making because they earn more.
CULTURAL EXPLANATION
● Gender role socialisation instils the view that men are the primary decision makers.
1
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, Family in a Nutshell
DOMESTIC ABUSE
DOBASH AND DOBASH:
● Marriage and the nuclear family is the key institution of patriarchy, and the main source of
women's oppression.
● Domestic violence is inevitable because it serves to preserve the power men have over women.
ANSLEY
● Domestic violence is the product of capitalism: male workers are exploited at work and take their
frustration out on their wives.
WILKINSON
● Domestic violence is the result of stress on the family caused by social inequality.
—————— ( Topic 2 - Childhood ) ——————
CHANGES TO CHILDHOOD OVERTIME
ARIES
● In the middle ages, the idea of childhood did not exist.
● Children had the same responsibilities, rights and skills as adults - in turn, they were considered
economic assets.
● However, as the modern notion of childhood began to emerge, there became a profound
2
@ishroot on tiktok
—————— ( Topic 1 - Couples ) ——————
DOMESTIC DIVISION OF LABOUR
PARSONS:
● Men and women have biologically suited roles that are functional for society:
○ Expressive role - Women = Homemaker (involves cooking, cleaning and looking after
children)
○ Instrumental role - Men = Breadwinner (involves paid work, earning the income for the
family)
BOTT:
● Segregated conjugal roles - Division of labour between men and women, couples spend 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
ARE COUPLES MORE EQUAL?
MARCH OF PROGRESS
● The ‘new man’ means couples have an equal share of housework and childcare.
MARCH OF PROGRESS - Feri and Smith
● Women now do paid work and domestic work.
TRIPLE SHIFT - Dunscombe and Marsden
● Women not only carry the dual burden of paid and domestic work, but also have to do the
emotional work.
ARE COUPLES MORE EQUAL?
MATERIAL EXPLANATION
● Men have more power in decision making because they earn more.
CULTURAL EXPLANATION
● Gender role socialisation instils the view that men are the primary decision makers.
1
@ishroot on tiktok
, Family in a Nutshell
DOMESTIC ABUSE
DOBASH AND DOBASH:
● Marriage and the nuclear family is the key institution of patriarchy, and the main source of
women's oppression.
● Domestic violence is inevitable because it serves to preserve the power men have over women.
ANSLEY
● Domestic violence is the product of capitalism: male workers are exploited at work and take their
frustration out on their wives.
WILKINSON
● Domestic violence is the result of stress on the family caused by social inequality.
—————— ( Topic 2 - Childhood ) ——————
CHANGES TO CHILDHOOD OVERTIME
ARIES
● In the middle ages, the idea of childhood did not exist.
● Children had the same responsibilities, rights and skills as adults - in turn, they were considered
economic assets.
● However, as the modern notion of childhood began to emerge, there became a profound
2
@ishroot on tiktok
