Gender roles in families remain a hot topic of debate,... Show more
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Issy Aston
07/12/2025
Sociology
Gender roles
166
•
7 Dec 2025
•
Understanding Gender Roles
Issy Aston
@issy.aston
1 / 5
Gender Roles
Ever wondered why mums still seem to do most of the housework even when they work full-time? You're not imagining it - there's actual sociology behind this pattern.
Talcott Parsons argued that gender roles are naturally divided: men take the instrumental role (breadwinner) whilst women handle the expressive role (homemaker and emotional caretaker). He believed this division was based on biological differences, making women "naturally" better at nurturing.
Elizabeth Bott identified two types of relationships: segregated conjugal roles (couples have completely separate roles and activities) and joint conjugal roles (couples share tasks and spend leisure time together). Most relationships fall somewhere between these extremes.
Did you know? Even in families where both parents work, women still do about 2.5 times more housework than men on average.
The March of Progress vs Reality
Willmott and Young were optimistic, describing a "march of progress" toward the symmetrical family where husband and wife roles become increasingly similar. They found that 15% of husbands had high participation in housework, which seemed promising at the time.
However, the statistics tell a different story. Women are still 30 times more likely to do the washing, whilst men are 4 times more likely to take out the bins. When men do help with childcare, it's often the fun stuff like taking kids to the park, not the difficult daily grind.
Ann Oakley completely rejected the "march of progress" idea. She argued that even when women work full-time, they're still expected to be the primary homemaker. Men are seen as "helping" rather than taking equal responsibility.
Reality check: Women spend an average of 2.5 hours daily on housework compared to men's 1 hour - and that's after a full day at work too.
Impact of Paid Work and Feminist Perspectives
Here's where it gets interesting - money talks. Research by Man-Yee Kan found that for every £10,000 increase in a woman's salary, she does two hours less housework per day. Financial independence clearly gives women more bargaining power at home.
Gershuny and Crompton debated whether equality comes from changing attitudes or earning power. Crompton argued that until we achieve equal pay, we'll never have equal domestic labour - a point that still rings true today.
The dual burden (paid work plus unpaid housework) has evolved into the triple shift according to Duncombe and Marsden. Modern women juggle paid work, unpaid domestic work, and providing emotional support to the family. Southerton found that mothers even coordinate the family's "quality time" - yet another invisible job.
Eye-opener: In families where the man is unemployed and the woman works full-time, they still do roughly the same amount of housework as traditional couples.
Cultural vs Material Explanations
Why do these patterns persist? Gershuny's cultural explanation suggests that change happens slowly through generational shifts. The British Social Attitudes survey shows that less than 10% of under-35s support traditional gender roles, compared to 30% of over-65s.
Gillian Dunne's research on lesbian couples found they have more symmetrical relationships, suggesting that traditional gender expectations heavily influence heterosexual couples. When there's no "man" or "woman" role to fall back on, couples naturally share tasks more equally.
Decision-making also follows gendered patterns. Edgell's research found that men make "very important" decisions (finances, career moves), decisions about children and holidays are joint, whilst women handle "less important" choices like home décor and food shopping.
Food for thought: Couples whose parents had equal relationships are much more likely to share housework equally themselves - proving that role models really matter.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Gender Roles
Issy Aston
@issy.aston
Gender roles in families remain a hot topic of debate, especially when it comes to who does what at home. Despite decades of progress toward equality, research shows that traditional patterns of domestic labour still persist, creating ongoing tensions in... Show more
Gender Roles
Ever wondered why mums still seem to do most of the housework even when they work full-time? You're not imagining it - there's actual sociology behind this pattern.
Talcott Parsons argued that gender roles are naturally divided: men take the instrumental role (breadwinner) whilst women handle the expressive role (homemaker and emotional caretaker). He believed this division was based on biological differences, making women "naturally" better at nurturing.
Elizabeth Bott identified two types of relationships: segregated conjugal roles (couples have completely separate roles and activities) and joint conjugal roles (couples share tasks and spend leisure time together). Most relationships fall somewhere between these extremes.
Did you know? Even in families where both parents work, women still do about 2.5 times more housework than men on average.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The March of Progress vs Reality
Willmott and Young were optimistic, describing a "march of progress" toward the symmetrical family where husband and wife roles become increasingly similar. They found that 15% of husbands had high participation in housework, which seemed promising at the time.
However, the statistics tell a different story. Women are still 30 times more likely to do the washing, whilst men are 4 times more likely to take out the bins. When men do help with childcare, it's often the fun stuff like taking kids to the park, not the difficult daily grind.
Ann Oakley completely rejected the "march of progress" idea. She argued that even when women work full-time, they're still expected to be the primary homemaker. Men are seen as "helping" rather than taking equal responsibility.
Reality check: Women spend an average of 2.5 hours daily on housework compared to men's 1 hour - and that's after a full day at work too.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Impact of Paid Work and Feminist Perspectives
Here's where it gets interesting - money talks. Research by Man-Yee Kan found that for every £10,000 increase in a woman's salary, she does two hours less housework per day. Financial independence clearly gives women more bargaining power at home.
Gershuny and Crompton debated whether equality comes from changing attitudes or earning power. Crompton argued that until we achieve equal pay, we'll never have equal domestic labour - a point that still rings true today.
The dual burden (paid work plus unpaid housework) has evolved into the triple shift according to Duncombe and Marsden. Modern women juggle paid work, unpaid domestic work, and providing emotional support to the family. Southerton found that mothers even coordinate the family's "quality time" - yet another invisible job.
Eye-opener: In families where the man is unemployed and the woman works full-time, they still do roughly the same amount of housework as traditional couples.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Cultural vs Material Explanations
Why do these patterns persist? Gershuny's cultural explanation suggests that change happens slowly through generational shifts. The British Social Attitudes survey shows that less than 10% of under-35s support traditional gender roles, compared to 30% of over-65s.
Gillian Dunne's research on lesbian couples found they have more symmetrical relationships, suggesting that traditional gender expectations heavily influence heterosexual couples. When there's no "man" or "woman" role to fall back on, couples naturally share tasks more equally.
Decision-making also follows gendered patterns. Edgell's research found that men make "very important" decisions (finances, career moves), decisions about children and holidays are joint, whilst women handle "less important" choices like home décor and food shopping.
Food for thought: Couples whose parents had equal relationships are much more likely to share housework equally themselves - proving that role models really matter.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content: Gender Roles
Most popular content in Sociology
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user