Evaluate the view that conjugal roles continue to be unequal.
CAMBRIDGE
A level and AS level
2021
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Introduction
Briefly introduce the concept of conjugal roles and state the essay's aim to evaluate the ongoing debate surrounding their equality.
Arguments Supporting Unequal Conjugal Roles
Evidence of Imbalance: Discuss evidence highlighting inequality in housework, childcare, and emotional labour. Briefly mention radical feminist perspectives and the impact of cultural/religious norms.
Persistence of Traditional Roles: Explain how functionalist views on biologically determined roles and the prevalence of traditional divisions in working-class families contribute to inequality. Include the concept of women unconsciously perpetuating these norms.
Arguments Challenging Unequal Conjugal Roles
Shifting Landscape: Introduce the concept of the symmetrical family and discuss evidence of greater equality in modern relationships. Highlight changes in women's lives and the influence of the commercialization of housework.
Evolving Dynamics: Explore rational choice theory and its implications for understanding women's agency in domestic roles. Discuss increased equality in same-sex couples and the impact of women's earning power on role distribution.
Evaluation and Synthesis
Nuance and Complexity: Acknowledge the limitations of both sides of the argument. Discuss the idea that segregated roles don't automatically equate to inequality and consider the decline of traditional patriarchal structures.
Contemporary Trends: Briefly touch upon modern concepts like the 'new man,' negotiated roles, and the crisis of masculinity. Link these to the ongoing evolution of conjugal roles.
Conclusion
Reiterate the complexity of the issue and offer a balanced conclusion on the extent to which conjugal roles remain unequal. Suggest avenues for future research or societal changes that could promote greater equality.
Evaluating the Unequal Distribution of Conjugal Roles
The extent to which conjugal roles remain unequal in contemporary society is a subject of considerable debate within sociology. While significant strides have been made towards greater equality in recent decades, evidence suggests that a disparity in the division of domestic labor, childcare, and emotional work persists. This essay will evaluate the view that conjugal roles continue to be unequal, considering both supporting and opposing arguments.
Arguments Supporting Inequality
Numerous studies provide evidence for the unequal distribution of domestic labor. Oakley (1974), in her seminal work, found that despite an increase in women's paid employment, their domestic workload remained disproportionately high. This "dual burden" or "triple shift" (including paid work, housework, and emotional labor) remains a significant issue, with women typically performing the lion's share of childcare and housework (Boulton, 1983).
Radical feminists argue that the root cause of this inequality lies in patriarchy, a system that privileges men and devalues women's contributions. They contend that women are socialized to accept domesticity and prioritize men's needs (Delphy and Leonard, 1992). This is further reinforced by functionalists who, while acknowledging societal changes, still view certain gender roles, particularly motherhood, as biologically determined, leading to an unequal division of labor (Parsons, 1955).
Furthermore, cultural and religious norms play a role. Certain cultures and religions uphold traditional gender roles, often confining women to the domestic sphere. Research by the BBC (2019) highlights significant global variations in attitudes towards gender roles within the family. Additionally, Willmott and Young (1973) observed a more traditional division of labor among working-class families, suggesting socioeconomic factors contribute to inequality.
Hochschild (1989) introduced the concept of "emotion work," arguing that women are often expected to manage the emotional needs of the family, further adding to their unseen workload. This invisible work, alongside the motherhood penalty (the career disadvantage women face after having children) reinforces the unequal burdens women bear.
Arguments Against Inequality
Conversely, proponents of greater equality point to the emergence of the "symmetrical family" (Young and Willmott, 1973), characterized by a more equitable division of labor and shared decision-making. They argue that social changes, such as increased female education and employment, have led to a shift in gender roles. Gershuny (1994), while acknowledging women still bear a greater burden, found evidence of men contributing more to housework over time, particularly in dual-earner households.
The commercialization of housework, with the rise of convenience foods and appliances, has also eased the domestic burden. Additionally, rational choice theory posits that women may choose to prioritize domesticity, suggesting it is not necessarily a result of forced inequality. Crompton (1997) argues that as women's earning power increases, men tend to take on more domestic responsibilities, indicating a potential shift towards greater economic equality.
Moreover, research on same-sex couples often reveals a more equitable division of labor, challenging the notion that gendered roles are biologically determined (Gillian and Dunne, 1999). The decline of traditional patriarchal family structures, coupled with secularization and the rise of individualism, has also contributed to greater gender equality in the home.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the "march of progress" narrative suggests increasing equality in conjugal roles, evidence suggests that inequalities persist. Although the symmetrical family and changing social norms offer a more optimistic outlook, women continue to shoulder a disproportionate burden of domestic labor, childcare, and emotional work. The influence of patriarchy, cultural norms, and economic disparities cannot be disregarded. While complete equality may remain elusive, acknowledging and addressing these enduring inequalities is crucial to achieving a truly equitable division of labor within families.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Evaluate the view that conjugal roles continue to be unequal.
In support of the view:
- Evidence of inequality in housework, childcare, emotion work, and power/decision making.
- Evidence of women taking on a greater burden in the home.
- Radical feminism argues that the existence of patriarchy perpetuates inequalities in the home.
- Functionalism views gendered roles as biologically determined, leading to women bearing unequal burdens in motherhood.
- Some cultures and religions encourage or enforce traditional gender roles.
- Working-class families tend to still exhibit an unequal distribution of conjugal roles.
- Women may unconsciously view housework as a norm to be done unthinkingly.
- Men are more likely to be involved in childcare than housework.
Against the view:
- Evidence of a shift towards more equal roles in the family, including the emergence of the symmetrical family.
- Changes in women's lives have contributed to greater equality in conjugal roles.
- The commercialization of housework has led to men undertaking more domestic responsibilities.
- Rational choice theory posits that women may choose to adopt the domestic role, suggesting it is not necessarily a result of inequality.
- Greater equality in conjugal roles is often observed in same-sex couples.
- As women's earning power increases relative to men's, men tend to take on more domestic labor.
- Segregated roles do not automatically imply inequality.
- The decline of traditional patriarchal or male-dominated families has led to more equality in conjugal roles.
Additional concepts:
- Gender scripts, dual burden/triple shift, patriarchy, emotion work, motherhood penalty, partnership penalty, invisible work, expressive/instrumental roles.
- New man/father, joint/integrated conjugal roles, crisis of masculinity, symmetrical family, secularization, negotiated roles, March of progress.
Research evidence:
- Oakley, Boulton, Ferri and Smith, Hochschild, radical feminism, Marxist feminism, Delphy and Leonard, Dunscombe and Marsden, Greer, Craig, BBC, biological determinism, Willmott and Young, Gershuny, Sullivan, British Social Attitudes survey, Bott, Silver and Schor, liberal feminism, Crompton, Ramos, functionalism, postmodernism.
This content provides an overview of various perspectives on the unequal distribution of conjugal roles, along with research evidence supporting these arguments.