Gender Roles and Relationships within Families

The dynamics of gender roles within families have been a subject of extensive study by sociologists. The focus has often been on determining the level of equality in conjugal roles, with researchers exploring aspects such as the division of labor and power distribution within marital relationships.

The Symmetrical Family: Willmott and Young's Perspective

Willmott and Young, proponents of the idea that conjugal roles have become more equal, introduced the concept of the symmetrical family during the 1970s. They envisioned a family where husbands and wives shared similar roles, both in terms of work and time invested in domestic responsibilities.

Their research indicated that 72% of husbands were actively involved in household tasks, childcare, and decision-making.

According to Willmott and Young, the shift towards joint roles resulted primarily from wives withdrawing from relationships with female kin and husbands becoming more engaged in family life. However, sociologist Ann Oakley challenged this perspective in 1974, arguing that the 72% figure included husbands whose contribution to domestic chores was minimal, sometimes limited to a single task per week.

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Ann Oakley's Critique and Dual Burden

Ann Oakley conducted research during the 1970s focusing on 40 married women aged 20 to 30, with at least one child under the age of 5. Her findings revealed that, irrespective of class background, greater equality in domestic tasks existed among the middle class compared to the working class. However, she highlighted that overall, few men actively participated in housework and childcare at a high level.

Oakley argued that women, despite their increasing involvement in paid employment, continued to bear the primary responsibility for household tasks.

She introduced the concept of a "dual burden," suggesting that women were expected to manage both domestic responsibilities and paid employment simultaneously.

Gershuny's Perspective on Inequality and Dual Burden

Jonathan Gershuny aligned with Oakley's viewpoint, disputing the notion that conjugal roles had achieved equality. He emphasized the potential for increased inequality due to the dual burden faced by women. Gershuny proposed that the dual burden stemmed from a lagged adaptation, wherein men took time to adjust to women's increased participation in paid employment by contributing more to domestic labor.

In a 1992 study, Gershuny analyzed data from 1974/5 to 1987, revealing a gradual increase in domestic labor performed by men. Notably, this increase was most significant when wives were in full-time employment, indicating a correlation between women's work outside the home and men's increased contribution to domestic tasks. While Gershuny suggested a trend towards greater equality, he cautioned that true equality remained a distant goal.

Towards Greater Equality?

Examining the evidence presented, it becomes evident that support for Willmott and Young's assertion of conjugal roles becoming equal is limited. Gillian Dunne, on the other hand, introduces an interesting perspective, suggesting that household tasks and childcare in single-sex relationships may have achieved equality, while heterosexual relationships still lag behind.

Despite the challenges and persistent inequalities, there appears to be a discernible trend towards greater equality. Gershuny's research on changing childcare patterns supports this notion. While women still bear the primary burden of domestic labor, men's increasing involvement suggests a gradual shift. However, it is essential to acknowledge that complete equality in conjugal roles remains an aspirational goal, with progress being made but still far from realization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the discourse on gender roles and relationships within families reveals a nuanced and evolving landscape. The symmetrical family proposed by Willmott and Young faces scrutiny, particularly from the critiques of Ann Oakley and Jonathan Gershuny. Oakley's concept of the dual burden emphasizes the persistent challenge faced by women who juggle both domestic responsibilities and paid employment.

Gillian Dunne's perspective introduces the idea that equality in household tasks and childcare might be more achievable in certain relationship dynamics. However, the overarching trend, supported by Gershuny's research, suggests a gradual movement towards greater equality. While men's increased participation in domestic tasks is noteworthy, it is essential to approach this progress with a critical lens, recognizing the persistent gaps and the long road ahead before conjugal roles can truly be considered equal.