Secondly, a comparative dimension is required in order to test the symmetrical family thesis. This can be achieved by using your respondents' parents to represent a previous generation.
Sample Type: A stratified random sample can be used if factors such as social class or the number of children (and their ages) within the group are to be considered. If not, a simple random sample or, if necessary, an opportunity sample can be used.
Sample Size: Depending on the method of research used, 10 families should suffice.
Sample Frame: N/A
Method(s)
There are a couple of ways that domestic labour could be measured:
Firstly, a "diary method" could be used. This involves asking your respondents to keep a strict diary detailing the amount of domestic labour they perform each day. If this method is used the respondents need to keep this type of diary for at least a week.
Secondly, a questionnaire could be developed that simply lists various "domestic labour tasks". Each respondent is required to complete the questionnaire by indicating whether they, their partner or both partners mainly perform each task.
The advantages of the second method are:
- It can be easily applied to two generations of family life.
- If each partner completes the questionnaire separately you will also gain a picture of what each partner believes they do in terms of domestic labour.
- It is much easier for respondents to complete (and therefore more likely to be completed).
Related studies
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You need to read-up on the Symmetrical Family Thesis, either by using Wilmott and Young ("The Symmetrical Family") or a textbook - all of the major textbooks will have a section on this thesis.
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Bott "Family and Social Networks".
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Oakley "Housewife" / "The Sociology of Housework"
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P.Mayes "Gender
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S.Moore "Sociology Alive" (contains an example questionnaire that could be adapted).
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New Internationalist (March 1988) "Domestic Labour"
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J.Pahl "Money and Marriage" (1989)
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Elston "Half Our Future Doctors" (1980)
Background
In terms of background material, you need to be familiar with the symmetrical family thesis, as developed by writers such as Wilmott and Young. Bott's work may also be relevant in this context. Against this, it would be useful to look at the work of writers such as Oakley, Pahl and Elston (and possibly Steven Edgell "Middle Class Couples" - see Haralambos for brief overview - if class is significant in your project).
You will need to think about defining concepts such as "generation", "equality", "symmetrical family".
"Social Trends" (published each year by HMSO) sometimes contains statistical data about housework.
Potential Problems
If a questionnaire is used, it will be useful to ensure that each partner completes it "individually" (that is, they don't compare notes when completing the questionnaire).
You may encounter problems when trying to construct a sample of "previous generation" families - you may have to use some form of snowball sample if necessary.
An obvious reliability / validity problem with the "previous generation" questionnaire is that you will be asking people to "think back" to the amount of domestic labour they did...
