Ethical Considerations and Debates in Family Sociology
This page delves into ethical issues in family research and debates surrounding the concept of symmetrical families in modern Britain.
The document begins by addressing ethical considerations in researching the division of domestic labor:
Definition: Informed consent is the ethical principle of ensuring participants understand and voluntarily agree to participate in research after being fully informed of its purpose and potential risks.
Example: To obtain informed consent for a study on domestic labor division, researchers would explain the study's purpose and allow potential participants to choose whether to take part.
The page then explores the debate around symmetrical families in Britain today, presenting contrasting sociological perspectives:
Vocabulary: Symmetrical family - A family structure where partners share responsibilities for home, leisure, and decision-making equally.
Functionalist sociologists Young and Willmott argue for the existence of symmetrical families, citing:
- Improved living standards making family life more home-centered
- Technology providing in-home leisure opportunities
- Increased female employment leading to more shared domestic responsibilities
However, they also predict a shift towards the "managing director family" through stratified diffusion.
In contrast, feminist sociologists like Delphy and Leonard dispute the idea of symmetrical families:
Highlight: Feminists argue that families remain patriarchal structures where women are oppressed through unequal domestic labor distribution.
The document concludes by noting that high rates of female-initiated divorce support the feminist critique of family inequality.
Example: Higher rates of women initiating divorce suggest greater dissatisfaction with marriage and family life, challenging the notion of truly symmetrical families.
This page effectively contrasts functionalist and Marxist views on family structure and gender roles, providing valuable content for GCSE Sociology exam questions on family dynamics and theoretical perspectives.
