Domestic Division of Labour: Theoretical Perspectives and Research Findings
The domestic division of labour is a crucial topic in sociology A Level studies, examining how household tasks and responsibilities are distributed between partners. This summary explores various theoretical perspectives and research findings on this subject.
Functionalist View
Talcott Parsons, a key functionalist thinker, identified two primary roles within the family:
- Instrumental Role: Typically assigned to males as breadwinners
- Expressive Role: Usually performed by females as caregivers
Definition: The instrumental role involves providing for the family financially, while the expressive role focuses on emotional support and nurturing.
Parsons argued that this gender-based division of labour is functional for both the family and wider society, rooted in biological differences.
March of Progress View
Young and Wilmott proposed a trend towards the "symmetrical family," where roles are becoming more equal:
- More women are entering the workforce
- Men are increasingly helping with housework and childcare
- Couples spend more leisure time together
Example: In modern families, both partners might share responsibilities such as cooking meals, doing laundry, and caring for children.
Feminist Perspective
Feminists challenge the march of progress view, arguing that families remain male-dominated (patriarchal):
- Ann Oakley found little evidence of symmetry in domestic labour
- Feminists argue that women often carry a "dual burden" of paid work and domestic responsibilities
Highlight: The concept of the "triple shift" introduced by Duncombe and Marsden suggests that women are responsible for emotional work, domestic work, and paid work.
Explanations for the Division of Labour
Two main explanations are proposed for the persistent gender inequality in domestic labour:
- Cultural/Ideological Explanation: Patriarchal norms shape gender roles
- Material/Economic Explanation: Women's lower earnings make it economically rational for them to do more domestic work
Vocabulary: Patriarchy refers to a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.
Decision-Making and Money Management
Research by Pahl and Vogler identified two main types of control over family income:
- Allowance System: Men give wives a budget for family needs
- Pooling: Both partners have access to income and joint responsibility for expenditure
Quote: "Even where there was pooling, men usually made the major financial decisions" - Pahl & Vogler
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Domestic violence is a significant issue within the context of family dynamics:
- It's too widespread to be attributed to a few disturbed individuals
- Women are more likely than men to experience intimate violence
- Official statistics may underestimate the prevalence due to assumptions about family privacy
Definition: Domestic abuse includes any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.
This overview of the domestic division of labour sociology notes highlights the complex interplay of gender roles, economic factors, and societal norms in shaping household dynamics and family structures.
