A symmetrical family is a family where ale the chores are shared equally between couples. Sociologists like Sullivan give reasons for a symmetrical family. An example of this is that there are more women working and that they are bringing in more money to help ensure that help can be hired, eg cleaners. Another example is commercialisation of housework, eg more ready meals, microwaves and washing machines mean that men do not mind doing these chores because they do not have to spend too much time on these tasks. Another example is the shifting social attitudes which mean that it is more accepted in society for men to do housework.
Power relations within a household refer to the control of decisions, finance and the families direction, and whom they are controlled by. This power can be held by either partner, or both, or both partners may control different parts of the power, such as one controlling finance, and the other deciding accommodation etc. Despite this, traditionally, men have control of the power within the family. However, the march of progress (Young & Willmot 1973) decrees that power relations and the domestic division of labour are slowly becoming more equal for all members of the family. In a study conducted by the Future Foundation (2002), Young and Wilmot's theory was backed up by the conclusions that 75% of women now did less housework than their mothers, and that similarly, 60% of men did more chores than their fathers.
Thirdly the family acts as a comfort for the stresses and frustrations of working class men they are there to ‘Cushion the main provider’. Lastly the family as a unit of consumption buys the goods and services provided by capitalism. These functions benefit the minority in power, the bourgeoisie, and the economy. The functions disadvantage the working class society, the proletariat. One way the family serves capitalism is the socialisation of the young into the ruling class ideology.
Men are socialised into exploitative relationships in relation to work and they carry this socialisation over into the home and their relationship to women. b. Patriarchy is an ideology (a set of related beliefs about the world - in this instance, male - female relationships) that stems from male attempts to justify the economic exploitation of women. c. The "family system" characteristic of modern societies benefits capitalism (and, by extension, the men who tend to dominate positions of power and influence) because women: - can be forced / socialised into unpaid domestic labour. - can be forced / socialised into responsibility for child-rearing. This benefits the Capitalist because they do not have to pay women to perform this role (the "reproduction of labour power" in society).
The expectation in a nuclear family is that the wife stays at home and looks after the children, she would clean and cook and provide the emotion in the family and they call this the expressive role. As for the children the male child would be expected to follow in the footsteps of his father and the female child to follow the mother. Functionalists create this image that the family is like a machine all parts work together within the society and also within the family creating a society that ran efficiently. As well as this the family has positive aspects on individuals rather than just society Talcott parsons recognised the family played a part in the primary socialisation of children, this teaches them the values and norms of society , parsons also exposed us to another function, the stabilisation of adult personalities this is a way in which adults cope with life as a result of the support and love expressed by family members. Murdock, Another functionalist adds to parsons strong ideas of the functions of the family in society Murdock argues the nuclear family is internationally essential for society to run efficiently.
AS Sociology Terms Test Family Define the following term * Embourgeoisement, is the process through which the working class becomes more like the middle class by achieving relatively comfortable levels of financial security and material well-being. * Expressive Role, people who tend to pay attention to how everyone is getting along, and take care of things in the social group. * Extended Family, a family group of more than two generations of the same kinship living either within the same household or, very close to one another. * Family, a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. * Fit Thesis, is the thought that the family is functional fit for society.
Extended families workloads are shared amongst members and the woman roles are often restricted to housewives and this involves cooking, cleaning and organising the entire household. The oldest family member lays down the rules and regulations while the other members of the household babysits or teaches younger children. Extended families are not financially stable as the household expenses increase such as the food, gas and
A woman working in the same job as a man will usually earn less, despite the fact that she may have the same or better training, education, and skills required for the job ("Study Shows Female Managers in Britain Earn Less than Men, and Equality Could Be 57 Years Away." 2010). Women are consistently discriminated against in the workplace. Women only make 60 percent or less than their male counterparts in the same job position (Louis, 2010). Throughout history men are seen as the “strong/tough ones”; the belief is that they should be paid more than women in order to support their families (Loney, 2005).
Furthermore functionalists believe that families offer material and emotional security and provide care and support. It was in the words of G.P. Murdock where he defined the meaning of the family: "The family is a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation and reproduction. It contains adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults." ~ (George Peter Murdock, 2004) Murdock (1949) went on to describe four main functions of the family which included; sexual relationships, economic cooperation among
In most of the countries around the world years ago women had to stay at home, take care of kids and do the home chores (women were not allowed to work); while men were supposed to be working and earning money for the family, but this thinking have changed through the years. Nowadays women and men have more varied roles. In my country (Dominican Republic) the traditional roles of women are: to work, and when I say work it means women are able to work in areas that before were considered only for men like engineering, medicine, law, and political sciences. All this means that women have been inserted more in the workplace, a clear example of this is that the vice presidency of the Dominican Republic is occupied by a woman. Women also take care of children, do the home chores, do the cooking, drive a car, and much more.