Table of Contents
- The Traditional Division of Labour
- The Emergence of Symmetry: Willmott and Young’s Symmetrical Family
- The Impact of Dual-Career Families
- The Role of Child-Rearing and Emotional Labour
- The Role of Decision-Making and Power in the Family
- The Feminist Critique: Is Symmetry an Illusion?
- Conclusion: Is True Symmetry Achievable?
The concept of gender equality has become increasingly significant in the modern world, with many societies, including the UK, striving to challenge traditional gender norms. One key area where this shift is noticeable is within the family unit, specifically in conjugal roles. Conjugal roles refer to the roles played by men and women within a marriage or partnership, particularly in relation to domestic work, child-rearing, and decision-making. But despite the push for equality, are these roles truly symmetrical in contemporary families? This article will critically assess whether the rise in gender equality has led to genuinely balanced roles in the home, exploring current trends, debates, and sociological perspectives.
The Traditional Division of Labour
Historically, the division of labour within the family has been segregated, with men typically assuming the role of breadwinners and women fulfilling the expressive role—caring for children and managing the household. This division was seen as natural and functional, with functionalist theorists like Talcott Parsons arguing that such roles were necessary for the stability of society. According to Parsons, the nuclear family, with its clear-cut division of labour, provided the ideal environment for primary socialisation and the stabilisation of adult personalities.
However, feminist sociologists, such as Ann Oakley, challenged this notion, arguing that the conventional family structure placed an unfair burden on women. Women were expected to manage both paid work and the domestic sphere, leading to what Oakley described as the “dual burden” or even the “triple shift” when emotional labour is included. The feminist critique revealed the inequalities inherent in the traditional family, but the question remains: has the rise of modernity and gender equality led to a truly symmetrical division of labour?
The Emergence of Symmetry: Willmott and Young’s Symmetrical Family
In the 1970s, sociologists Willmott and Young proposed the concept of the symmetrical family, suggesting that conjugal roles were becoming more equal. They argued that as industrialisation progressed, families moved towards a more egalitarian structure, with men becoming more involved in domestic tasks and women entering the workforce in greater numbers. The Stage 3 family they described was characterised by shared decision-making, joint conjugal roles, and an overall shift away from the traditional male-dominated household.
While Willmott and Young’s theory was a significant step in understanding the evolution of family roles, many feminists remained sceptical. Although men were indeed more involved in domestic chores than before, the balance was far from equal. Studies showed that women still carried the majority of the household workload, even when both partners were employed outside the home.
Key Features of the Symmetrical Family
- Shared responsibilities in domestic work.
- Decision-making as a joint activity.
- Increased female participation in the labour market.
- Reduced emphasis on traditional gender roles.
Despite these positive changes, the reality of a fully symmetrical family remains a complex and contested issue.
The Impact of Dual-Career Families
One of the most significant changes in recent decades has been the rise of dual-career families. As more women have entered the workforce, one might expect that men would take on an equal share of household responsibilities. In theory, dual-career families represent a step towards gender equality, as both partners are expected to contribute to income generation and domestic labour.
However, research suggests that even in dual-career households, the division of labour remains unequal. Women often continue to perform the majority of domestic tasks, despite working similar or even longer hours than their male partners. This is sometimes referred to as the “second shift,” a term coined by sociologist Arlie Hochschild, which refers to the additional domestic labour women undertake after their paid employment.
Key Trends in Dual-Career Families
- Women are still more likely to take on childcare responsibilities, even when working full-time.
- Men’s contribution to domestic chores has increased, but they often take on tasks that are less frequent or time-consuming, such as DIY or gardening.
- Women are more likely to reduce their working hours or take career breaks for family-related reasons, impacting their economic power within the household.
