Examine the view that gender roles and relationships have become more equal in modern family life
by
jgb (student)
Examine the view that gender roles and relationships have become more equal in modern family life
In the course of history, society has proven to have had unequal gender roles with a constant segregation in the division of labour. Traditional norms, values as well as the influence of religion have prevented egalitarianism in the family life as well as society. Traditional gender roles consisted of men being the breadwinners and women being the homemakers. Men had the advantage of education, paid work, a voice in society and dominance over their wives. However, modern family life has demonstrated that we are in a new day and age growing closer to equality.
Gender roles have become more officially equal, with men no longer seen as superior to women. The occurrence of changes in laws, including the sex discrimination act, equal pay rights as well as the right to vote has resulted in the majority of the female population in paid work as they feel they will be treated fairly. The feminization of the workplace has directed women into the position of better well payed jobs they wouldn’t otherwise have. It has also encouraged men to take more responsibility around the house as Gershuny stated that women working full time is leading to a more equal division of labour and has also resulted in women less financially dependent on men. This is a massive improvement in egalitarianism, however women are now expected to take on a dual burden where they take responsibility for the housework and a job, and this suggests that the roles have become more equal in terms of work but not necessarily in family life as women are still taking control of housework. The division of labour according to Parsons is based on biological differences that results in women naturally taking on the nurturer role and men are taking on the breadwinner role. This therefore suggests that women are capable of taking on the dual burden because of their biological differences with men. Some sociologists agree that women actually take on a triple shift this includes three areas of responsibility, the bulk of domestic work, paid work and emotional support to the rest of the family. Again, Parsons suggests that the emotional role is not much of a task but a natural characteristic woman have.
