Couples
Domestic Division of Labour
Parsons
Expressive role- Women are the homemakers
Instrumental role- Men are the breadwinners
Bott
Segregated conjugal roles- Division of labour, leisure time apart
Joint conjugal roles- Shared domestic roles, leisure time together
Willmott and Young
There are now more symmetrical families as a result of increased joint conjugal roles
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 out their frustration on their wives
Wilkinson
Domestic violence is the result of stress on the family caused by social inequality
Are Couples More Equal?
March of Progress
The 'new man' means couples have an equal share of housework and childcare
Dual Burden
Feri and Smith- Women now do paid work and domestic work
Triple shift
Duncombe and Marsden- Dual burden + emotional work
Decision Making
Material Explanation
Cultural Explanation
Men have more power in decision making because they earn more
Gender role socialisation instils the view that men are the primary decision makers