Sociology · Year 12 · Families and Households · 3.º Período

Gender Roles and Power in the Family

Investigating the domestic division of labour, decision-making, and the impact of feminism on family life.

TL;DR:This topic investigates the internal dynamics of family life, focusing on the division of domestic labour and the distribution of power. Students evaluate the 'symmetrical family' thesis, the idea that roles are becoming more equal, against feminist arguments that women still shoulder a 'double burden' of paid work and housework, or even a 'triple shift' including emotional labour. They also explore how money is managed and how decisions are made within households.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• AQA AS Sociology 3.1.2.2 (Gender roles, domestic labour and power relationships)
• OCR Sociology H180/01 (Families and relationships)

About This Topic

This topic investigates the internal dynamics of family life, focusing on the division of domestic labour and the distribution of power. Students evaluate the 'symmetrical family' thesis, the idea that roles are becoming more equal, against feminist arguments that women still shoulder a 'double burden' of paid work and housework, or even a 'triple shift' including emotional labour. They also explore how money is managed and how decisions are made within households.

For AQA and OCR, this topic is essential for understanding gender inequality at a micro level. It connects to broader themes of patriarchy and social change. Students grasp these concepts more effectively through collaborative investigations of their own 'household data' and role plays that highlight the subtle ways power is negotiated in everyday domestic life.

Key Questions

1. Is the symmetrical family a reality or a myth?
2. Who holds the power in household decision-making?
3. How do feminists view the traditional nuclear family?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Men doing more housework means the family is now equal.

What to Teach Instead

Feminists argue that while men do *more* than in the past, the *responsibility* for the home still rests with women. A 'responsibility vs. task' sorting activity can help students see that 'doing the dishes' is different from 'remembering the dishes need to be done'.

Common Misconception

Domestic violence is just a 'private' family matter or a 'momentary loss of control'.

What to Teach Instead

Sociologists like Dobash and Dobash argue it is a structural issue used to maintain patriarchal control. Using a 'structured discussion' format helps students move from psychological explanations to sociological ones, looking at how social structures can trigger or excuse such behaviour.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

The Domestic Labour Audit

In small groups, students categorise a list of 20 household tasks (e.g., 'fixing a leak', 'buying birthday cards', 'doing the laundry'). They must decide if these are traditionally 'male', 'female', or 'joint', and then compare their findings to modern UK time-use surveys.

40 min·Small Groups

Role Play

The Decision-Making Dinner

Pairs act out a scenario where a couple must decide how to spend a large bonus. One student uses 'pooling' and the other 'the allowance system'. They then discuss how the method of money management influenced who had the final say.

30 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share

The 'Triple Shift'

Students define the three parts of the 'triple shift' (paid work, housework, emotional work). They share examples of 'emotional work' they have observed in families, such as managing a child's tantrum or planning a family gathering.

20 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'symmetrical family'?

Proposed by Young and Willmott, the symmetrical family is one where the roles of husbands and wives, although not identical, are becoming more similar. Both partners work, both contribute to housework, and they spend their leisure time together. They argued this was the dominant family form in modern Britain.

What is the 'dual burden'?

The dual burden refers to the situation where women go out to do paid work but are still expected to do the majority of the housework and childcare when they get home. Feminists use this concept to argue that the 'symmetrical family' is a myth and that women are actually more exploited now than in the past.

How do sociologists study power in the family?

Sociologists look at 'decision-making' (who makes the big choices like moving house) and 'money management' (who controls the bank accounts). Research by Pahl and Vogler identified two main systems: the 'allowance system' (men give women a budget) and 'pooling' (both have access to a joint account), though pooling doesn't always mean equal power.

How can active learning help students understand gender roles?

Using 'Time-Use Diary' simulations is very effective. Students are given a fictional 'Saturday' schedule for a mother and father and must map out every minute. When they physically see the mother's 'fragmented' time (multi-tasking) versus the father's 'block' time (leisure or single tasks), the concept of the 'triple shift' becomes a visible reality rather than just a textbook definition.