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EnglandSociologyQuick questions
Families and relationships (Component 1, Section B)
Quick questions on The domestic division of labour - OCR A-Level Sociology Families and relationships
4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the march of progress view?Show answer
Young and Willmott take a march of progress view: family life is gradually improving and becoming more equal. They argue the symmetrical family has emerged, in which conjugal roles are increasingly joint, with men helping in the home, partners sharing leisure, and the couple home-centred. This is most common among younger, geographically and socially mobile couples. Gershuny adds that as more women work full time, men gradually do more domestic work, though with a time-lag.
What is the feminist critique?Show answer
Feminists reject the symmetry claim. Oakley argues that the symmetrical family is a myth: women still do the great majority of housework and childcare, and most husbands merely help occasionally rather than share equally. She identifies a dual burden for women who do paid work and domestic work.
What is q1?Show answer
Outline two findings that challenge the idea of the symmetrical family. [4 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Outline and explain two reasons why the domestic division of labour may be becoming more equal. [12 marks]
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