The Symmetrical Family: A Sociological Concept
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 Concept of the Symmetrical Family
The symmetrical family is a sociological term that refers to a family structure where both partners share roles and responsibilities equitably. This encompasses joint participation in earning income, household tasks, raising children, providing emotional support, and making decisions that affect the family unit. Sociologists Michael Young and Peter Willmott introduced this concept in the 1970s, proposing that family dynamics have transitioned through stages, culminating in the symmetrical family as a contemporary, egalitarian model of domestic life.Stages in the Evolution of Family Structures
Young and Willmott's research delineates a progression of family structures through four stages. The pre-industrial family was marked by a collective effort towards subsistence. This was succeeded by the early industrial family, where urbanization and the rise of wage labor led to distinct roles for spouses. The symmetrical family arose in the post-World War II era, facilitated by technological advancements and increased dual-income opportunities, promoting shared conjugal roles. They also posited a future stage, the asymmetrical family, characterized by a re-segregation of roles due to factors such as commuting and financial independence; however, empirical evidence for this stage is not robust.Characteristics of the Symmetrical Family
The symmetrical family model is underpinned by three core characteristics: parity in domestic labor, parity in external employment, and shared authority in significant family decisions. This model advocates for a partnership where both individuals contribute to all facets of family life, challenging traditional gender roles and societal expectations.Feminist Critique of Domestic Labor Division
Feminist researchers have scrutinized the division of labor within the family. Ann Oakley challenged Young and Willmott's assertions, contending that domestic tasks are still predominantly undertaken by women, and the symmetrical family is more an ideal than a reality. Her studies showed that men's contributions to household chores were often exaggerated and that working-class men were less involved in domestic work than their middle-class peers. This led to the identification of the 'dual burden,' where women are responsible for both paid work and the majority of household duties.The Concept of the Triple Shift
Building on feminist critiques, sociologists Jean Duncombe and Dennis Marsden introduced the 'triple shift' concept, which posits that women manage not only paid employment and household chores but also the majority of emotional labor within the family. This concept brings attention to the often-unrecognized emotional support and caregiving that women provide, which complicates the achievement of a truly symmetrical family structure.Economic Influence on Family Decision-Making
Economists such as Stephen Edgell and researchers like Jan Pahl and Carolyn Vogler have examined how economic factors affect decision-making power within families. Edgell's findings suggest that men often make more significant financial decisions, frequently due to higher earnings. Pahl and Vogler's studies on household money management systems indicate that even in families with two incomes, the partner with higher earnings, often the man, tends to have more decision-making authority. These economic imbalances highlight the difficulties in attaining symmetrical roles and power dynamics within families.Socioeconomic Class and Housework Commercialization
Socioeconomic class significantly influences the division of labor within families, as discussed in Juliet Schor's analysis of 'the commercialization of housework.' Schor argues that while home appliances and services can mitigate domestic labor, only families with sufficient financial resources can fully utilize these benefits, thus reinforcing class disparities and questioning the universality of the symmetrical family model.Domestic Violence and Family Power Dynamics
Domestic violence presents a grave challenge to the ideal of symmetrical family dynamics. Research by Russell Dobash and Rebecca Dobash has shown that violent behavior by male partners is often triggered by perceived threats to their authority, indicating that entrenched power imbalances and traditional gender roles can have dire implications for family safety and equality.Symmetry in Same-Sex Family Roles
Studies on same-sex couples by researchers like Gillian Dunne and Jeffrey Weeks suggest that these relationships may exhibit a more symmetrical division of labor compared to heterosexual couples, as they are less constrained by traditional gender role socialization. Nonetheless, economic disparities based on income differences can still lead to imbalances in labor division and decision-making power within these families.The Symmetrical Family in Sociological Analysis
The symmetrical family concept, as proposed by Young and Willmott, has significantly influenced sociological discourse on family relationships and spousal roles. Although it presents an idealized view of family equality, the concept has been subject to substantial critique, especially from feminist scholars who emphasize the ongoing disparities in labor division and power within families. The symmetrical family serves as a valuable framework for examining family dynamics, yet its full realization is impeded by factors related to economics, class, and gender.Want to create maps from your material?
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1
Sociologists ______ and ______ introduced the concept of the symmetrical family in the ______, suggesting it as a modern, equal model of family life.
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2
Pre-industrial family characteristics
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3
Early industrial family changes
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4
Post-WWII symmetrical family traits
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5
The ______ family model promotes equality in household chores, work outside the home, and decision-making within the family.
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6
Division of labor within family - scrutinized by?
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Young and Willmott's assertions - challenged by?
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8
Concept of 'dual burden' - identified due to?
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9
Sociologists ______ and ______ introduced the 'triple shift' concept, suggesting women handle paid work, household tasks, and the bulk of ______ labor.
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10
Edgell's findings on gender and financial decisions
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11
Pahl and Vogler's research focus
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Impact of economic imbalances in families
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13
Juliet Schor suggests that the ability to lessen household chores with appliances and services is mainly available to families with ______ financial resources.
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Dobash and Dobash research focus
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Impact of traditional gender roles on family safety
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16
Despite a more symmetrical division of labor, ______ disparities can cause imbalances in ______ and ______ within same-sex families.
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Proponents of symmetrical family concept
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Critiques of symmetrical family by feminist scholars
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Barriers to symmetrical family realization
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