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The symmetrical family is a sociological concept where partners share roles and responsibilities equally, from household tasks to decision-making. Introduced by Young and Willmott, it represents an egalitarian model of domestic life. The text examines its evolution, feminist critiques, economic influences, and challenges in achieving true symmetry in family dynamics, including the impact of socioeconomic class and domestic violence.
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The symmetrical family is a sociological term that refers to a family structure where both partners share roles and responsibilities equitably
The symmetrical family encompasses joint participation in earning income, household tasks, raising children, providing emotional support, and making decisions that affect the family unit
The concept of the symmetrical family was introduced in the 1970s by sociologists Michael Young and Peter Willmott, who proposed that family dynamics have transitioned through stages, culminating in the symmetrical family as a contemporary, egalitarian model of domestic life
The pre-industrial family was marked by a collective effort towards subsistence
The early industrial family was characterized by distinct roles for spouses due to urbanization and the rise of wage labor
The symmetrical family arose in the post-World War II era, facilitated by technological advancements and increased dual-income opportunities, promoting shared conjugal roles
The asymmetrical family, a proposed future stage, is characterized by a re-segregation of roles due to factors such as commuting and financial independence
The symmetrical family model advocates for a partnership where both individuals contribute to all facets of family life, challenging traditional gender roles and societal expectations
The symmetrical family model promotes shared conjugal roles, including joint participation in earning income
The symmetrical family model advocates for shared decision-making power in significant family decisions, challenging traditional gender roles and power dynamics
Feminist researchers have scrutinized the division of labor within the family, highlighting the ongoing disparities in labor division and power dynamics
The 'dual burden' refers to the responsibility of women for both paid work and the majority of household duties
The 'triple shift' concept brings attention to the often-unrecognized emotional support and caregiving that women provide, complicating the achievement of a truly symmetrical family structure
Economic factors, such as income disparities and class differences, can affect decision-making power within families and hinder the attainment of symmetrical roles and power dynamics
Domestic violence presents a grave challenge to the ideal of symmetrical family dynamics, as it is often triggered by entrenched power imbalances and traditional gender roles
Studies on same-sex couples suggest that they may exhibit a more symmetrical division of labor compared to heterosexual couples, but economic disparities can still lead to imbalances in labor division and decision-making power within these families
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Sociologists ______ and ______ introduced the concept of the symmetrical family in the ______, suggesting it as a modern, equal model of family life.
Michael Young
Peter Willmott
1970s
01
Pre-industrial family characteristics
Collective subsistence effort, undifferentiated family roles.
02
Early industrial family changes
Urbanization, wage labor rise, distinct spousal roles emerge.
