...view that gender roles and relationships have become more equal in modern family life. There are many factors that contribute to the validity of the view that gender roles and relationships have become more equal in modern family life. Some of these factors are; the impact of paid work, the family as a body, domestic violence, the domestic division of labour. It can be argued that gender roles and relations have become more equal, one way this can be seen as though the domestic division of labour. By definition “it is the division of tasks, roles, and duties within the household.” One way this supports the theory of gender roles and relationships have become more equal in modern family life is though society’s change in accepting women as valued members of the work force, as society has become more accepting in the development of females aspirations and careers and this in turn has had to make the family more equal in the roles of the house; since the normal upkeep of the house is not done in the ‘traditional family’ way, everybody in the house must contribute equally. Furthermore it can be argued that Talcott Parsons theory of the male and female of the relationship or family have two roles names instrumental and expressive roles (traditional the man is seen as instrumental and the opposite for the woman) another way it can argued that gender roles and relations have become more equal is through the introduction of equal pay, this does not only affect the family at home as...
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...Using material from item 2B and elsewhere, assess the view that gender roles and relationships have become more equal in modern family life (24 marks) The domestic division of labour refers to the roles that men and women take in relation to housework. These roles are often referred to as conjugal roles; roles which display roles within marriage itself. Segregated conjugal roles described the situation of man and wife having separate roles within the house where the man would more often be the breadwinner and the woman would be the homemaker. This notion supported Parsons idea of expressive roles, but is the centre of debate for feminist sociologists. There are also joint conjugal roles which represents the idea that couples share tasks such as housework, child rearing and decision making etc. Joint conjugal roles also describe the couple as sharing leisure time together, rather than independently. Within these marriages relationships also vary. One of the most deviant and misunderstood issue within the married couple is the idea that coercive power is used to control the other; usually the male using physical power (according to statistics). Domestic violence can be defined as any kind of physical, psychological, sexual or financial violence that takes place within the family toward an intimate partner. Domestic violence is seen as a method of control amongst partners, to display dominance and/or authority. It is often under-reported so national statistics are not always...
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..."(Using material from item 2B) Assess the view that gender roles and relationships have become more equal in modern family life " (24 Marks) Most sociologists in today's world would argue that yes, the gender roles and relationships have become more equal in recent years- but that they still have a way to go before they are completely equal. The more widespread view is that most people still cohere to the idea of instrumental and expressive roles in the family- because of the idea that the nuclear family is the most idea for society. In recent years, it can be argued that gendered roles in society have begun to disappear. Since the equal rights and pay acts were passed, women in particular have begun to reap the benefits of a much more equal society. Better grades and opportunities for young women, mean they are able to choose a professional career over a domestic lifestyle and- in theory- receive equal position and pay to their male colleagues. Research by sociologists Young and Willmott (1973), suggests that "the roles of men and women have become much more similar". According to other sociologists- such as Gershuny (1994)- "wives who work full time do less domestic work" as this is shared between the husband and wife more equally. This is the idea of a symmetrical family- where both partners spread the workload equally. However, there are some sociologists that believe these views to give "too rosy" a perspective on how work is actually shared in a relationship. Warde...
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...Assess the view that gender roles and relationships have become more equal in the modern family life The item suggests that ‘a number of changes have taken place in gender roles and relationships within families’ so in today’s society, there are a number of sociological views, which agree that change between equality has taken place in gender roles and between the relationships within the family, making it more equal. Some argue that in modern family life there is much more equality, while others think this is just exaggerated. In this essay I will assess these views through domestic labour, domestic violence in couples and through the childcare debate, to find what extent gender roles and relationships have become more equal in modern family life. Functionalist sociologist Talcott Parsons (1955) thought that there was a biological division of labour roles within the family, and that this highly benefited the family within society. He saw gender roles being split as expressive and instrumental. This means that the gender roles were very unequal as the husband would have to play the instrumental role where he would have to provide financial stability for the family, while the wife would have to play the expressive role where she would look out for the emotional welfare of the family by socialising the children and being a housewife. In 1957 Elizabeth Bott put these divisions into joint and segregates conjugal roles’. This means that the family roles were divided between a couple...
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...tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly (bias, 2014).” Recently, I watched an episode of Modern Family on the ABC channel. Modern family is essentially centered on three families and their interactions with one another. Although the modern family name would lead you to believe this show represents a new frontier free from bias and stereotypes, this show draws is comedic nature from these very bias representations. A broad spectrum of families are represented from a mixed marriage, to a gay or homosexual couple, and a traditional family. Despite the vast portrayal, Modern Family promotes traditional gender roles and stereotypes of women. I believe that Modern Family has a moderate level of media bias represented in its episodes. Although they attempt in many storylines to break away from the traditional roles, definition of acceptable age differences, demonstrate equality and acceptance, Modern Family lacks resistance towards patriarchal dominance within the family structure. Through the promotion of female gender stereotypes, the show promotes a male-dominant family ideology. For generations in the past and for many to come, women will continue to fight the battle against biased based “appropriate roles”. Rather directly expressed or...
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...consumption and the home. This is where conjugal roles come in; these are roles played by the husband or boyfriend and wife or girlfriend in a married or cohobating couple. The item suggests that some sociologists see the family as a march of progress where as others see it as unequal and patriarchal. Functionalists, like Talcott Parsons, saw the division of labour as biological and he claimed that they were beneficial to the family and wider society. Elizabeth Bott named the divisions through ‘joint and segregated conjugal roles’. The joint roles were more common amongst middle class and young families, these roles were joint. Whereas the segregated roles were more common amongst working class, these roles were divided. Parsons named these gender roles as expressive and instrumental functions which become clearer during the industrialisation. The husband performs the instrumental function, in being the ‘breadwinner’ of the family to provide financial support, and the wife performs the expressive function, in being the housewife. Parsons reckons that these functions are natural and they benefited the whole family. This view was also supported by the New Rights. However, this view has been criticized as it is traditional and that in the modern family these roles are fading. Therefore, this proves that in society today, the functionalist’s views are seen as insignificant as it fails to represent the gender roles in the family today. Additionally, item A suggests that ‘women’s...
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...From the Internet, I know that the “family unit “means very important groups in society and it includes parents and children. No matter how society develops, the family is very important in the world. Although changing gender roles become more and more popular in modern society, the family unit will not be affected too much because everyone needs a family. No matter how the gender roles changes, if people want to have a child, the best way is getting married. Society development is always following the natural law. Although female becomes independent and capable in modern society, have a baby is a special duty for the female. According to Aaron H. Devor, author of article, “ Becoming Members of Society: Learning the Social Meaning of Gender,” he says, “Members of both gender are believed to share many of the same human characteristics, although in different relative ……for each gender class” (388). A lot of successful females also have happy families in modern society. When gender roles change, it will not affect the female to have a baby because female can continue her career after having a baby and male can spend more time to take care of the baby. Part of result of changing gender roles is female go outside to work and male stay at home and work at home. It still can compose family no matter female or male stay at home. Male is more fit to take care of the family than female. Everyone knows that males have better physical power than female. It means that males...
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...traditional view of a typical American family has evolved considerably over the years. The well-known image of a nuclear family and their loveable dog, cheerfully standing behind their picket fence is fading. The 1950's portrayal of popular families no longer pertains to the majority of Americans nowadays because our society is moving toward equality. The television sitcom series, Modern Family, attempts to embody a more contemporary image of American families. Nevertheless, their intention is to depict modern families nowadays all the while still emphasizing stereotypes and outdated views in terms of gender roles. The award-winning series Modern Family features the lives of three families who form a larger extended family. Besides the creative and hilarious writing of the show, the popularity results from viewers easily relating to the characters and their family dynamics. As far as one can see, each character and respective family within the show appears to be like the typical family seen in today’s society. There are many well-liked and innovative features within the show that deals with modern day households, such as a gay couple who adopts a Vietnamese baby or a divorced father who has a multiracial marriage with a younger woman. However, the term "modern" in the show's title isn't necessarily spot-on. The Dunphys, who are the utmost old-fashioned out of the three, depict the nuclear family view just as the aforementioned 1950's happy family standing behind their picket fence...
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...Modern family was introduced to America as a show about three families, a traditional family structure, homosexual family, and a mixed family that all interact with each other. Keeping Up With the Kardashians are an American family with their own reality TV show, centering around a celebrities everyday life. In analyzing the two popular TV shows Modern Family and Keeping Up With the Kardashians from a feminist perspective, it is evident that American culture in today’s society is either pushing or differing away from the norms of gender roles and hegemonic ideologies. In September 2009, Modern Family first aired on ABC and is not on it’s seventh season. This culturally defining series has now won five consecutive Emmy awards and a Golden Globe award and continues to entertain American with its sitcom. The head of the family is Jay, who is married to a much younger Latin woman named Gloria, and he tires to keep up with her and her passion filled son Manny. Claire, is Jays daughter who is a hard worker but had trouble raising her three kids while her husband Phil is worried about “getting down” or being just like them. Their three kids are Haley, a typical bratty teenager, Alex, who is incredibly smart, and Luke who is very different. The third family is Claire’s homosexual brother and his partner Cameron and together they have an adopted little girl named Lily. Throughout this show we watch the three families go through their everyday interesting lives. Keeping Up With the Kardashians...
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...MOHAMAD ARIEFF SHAMIDA BIN SAMSUL KAMIL 14.5 (b) Evaluate the view that conjugal relationships are based on equality in modern industrial societies. In this answer, I am going to discuss about the conjugal relationship in modern industrial societies. This means I will assess the claim that conjugal relationships are based on equality in modern industrial societies. I plan to structure my answer from housework and childcare, power and money management. The hours worked between husband and wife become more equal by the increased participation by women in the labour market have led to more equality in modern family life.’ This view is highly supported by many sociologists like Young and Willmott who suggest that the family is becoming more symmetrical and therefore, is in fact becoming more egalitarian via a ‘march of progress.’ They suggest that the family is gradually improving in terms of equality as there has been a trend away from segregated conjugal roles and more of a shift towards joint ones. This they argue is due to major social changes in that women are more financially dependant with employment opportunities and so there is less of a need to rely on extended kin. This is further explained by Gershuny who suggests that because women have these employment opportunities, they are more likely to do less domestic work. This is shown by the item as it suggests that ‘men were making more of an effort to do housework when their wives were in full-time employment.’ By this...
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...October 2, 2014 Tues/Thurs 11-12:15 Professor E Family Case Study – Modern Family Modern Family, a sitcom that has been on the air for five years, is a realistic look into the dynamics of a large family with an interracial couple, a homosexual couple, and an adopted child. While not a typical family, the premise is certainly more up to speed with families in today’s society. The show has been very successful and it may be due in part to the fact that the show pokes fun of gays, has a sassy Vietnamese girl, is always comparing brains and beauty, and just doesn’t seem to leave anyone out. The dynamics and diversity of this family do portray “modern” times, however, the backgrounds and lifestyles are actually a little old-fashioned. Jay is the patriarch of the family. He is divorced with two older children and four grandchildren. He is remarried to Gloria, a Latin bombshell, and has a step-son, Manny. Jay and Gloria recently had a baby, so he now has another child to raise. Jay appears to have dated traditional values by being the bread winner while his wife is a homemaker. Gloria is most often seen at their large home cooking food or taking care of Manny. This domestic role also supports the ideology of patriarchy. Jay is in charge of the family. Though, Gloria usually has the final say when it relates to Manny because she is the biological mother and caregiver. Jay often makes fun of Gloria’s Spanish heritage. Gloria is originally from Colombia and talks about growing...
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...Gender Inequality To: Ken Cornwell SOCI 1010 From: Anita Schlicher Fall/2012 Paper III Gender Inequality There have been vast changes in women's rights in the last century. After endless picketing, fighting and jail sentences, women were finally given the right to vote on a national level. Over the course of history, women have found that rights which were automatically granted for men required an exhaustingly large amount of fighting to obtain for themselves. It is unbelievable that the role of the woman had been devalued so much that women were not allowed to do what many women today now consider “basic” things such as receiving an education, holding jobs that did not involve children, or even own property. Even though women today are able to earn college degrees, have careers, own property, vote, and even run for political positions themselves, there are still countless gender inequalities. Children are submitted to gender roles pretty much from the moment they are born. Baby showers involve a sea of pastel blues for boys and soft, delicate pink for girls. Female children are given dolls and doll houses and other cute toys, and...
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...Times article “What are Father’s For?” defines the gender argument that father’s may or may not necessary members of the family unit. The issue of single parenting or two-parent parenting is brought forth as a way to show how different children are raised with and without a father. The major issue put forth in this debate is directly related to the premise that a father may or may not fulfill a unique gender role in the family that the mother may not possess. These are the important aspects of “What are Father’s For?” which examine the necessity of the father as child-bearers in the modern-day family unit. Summary of the Debate: The first side of the debate on the necessity of father’s is based on the gender essentialist view that the father and mother have unique roles in the family when raising their children. For...
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...Topic; Non-traditional families are becoming the new normal in the United States. Discuss and compare the traditional family and non-traditional families. Family pattern has changed greatly due to industrialization and urbanization since the nineteenth century. Another factor which has been involved in those changes is the growing intervention of the state, by legislative action, in the domestic affairs of the family. As a result of these trends, the modern “nuclear” family has been substituted for the traditional extended family. The increase of values such as individualism and egalitarianism has influenced the patterns of modern family. Although traditional and modern families share similarities in terms of constitutional concept and milieu of love and care, they have several differences in term of family size and gender roles. Traditional and modern families share a lot of similarities. As the traditional family was, modern family is still an institutional component of western societies. In other words, both are a “unit structure” or “basic organism” of which society is composed. As an institution, traditional and modern families similarly have to complete functions such as procreation and socialization of children. For example, even though the modern family has decreased in size, it is still the common environment where children are born; receive a moral education, where their tendencies are disciplined and where their aspirations are encouraged. Therefore, to reassure...
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...Gender Roles and the Identities of Women During the late nineteenth century, there were many stereotypical attitudes regarding the roles of gender and the identity of women. Men were usually portrayed as the “breadwinners,” as well as the well-educated and the sole foundation of the family. Men had to show their masculinity by being the very upper-hand of the family. Women are portrayed as sensitive, sweet, caring, faithful, moody, naïve, etc. As a way to complete them as a whole, women needed men in their lives. However, women held the least power of the family and believed that they only had a purpose of being housewives. The ideal images of gender roles between men and women, and the identities of women can lead to stereotypes that are associated with Kate Chopin’s short story “Desiree’s Baby.” In “Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin, gender played a big role in the life Desiree as well as Armand Aubigny. Desiree was described as “beautiful and gentle, affectionate and sincere— the idol of Valmonde” (1). Desiree was illustrated as if she was down to earth and had a very warm personality. At first she was nameless, like most women when they are first named by their primary families and renamed when they get married. Desiree nameless when she was first found by the Valmonde family, and then they took her in as their own and she adopted their family name. Desiree undergoes another name change when she later marries a wealthy man by the name of Armand and inherited the...
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