a system in which men hold power. Feminists argue that the family maintains it.

What is the dual burden?

doing paid work and most of the housework. Two loads carried by one person.

What is the domestic division of labour?

how housework and childcare are shared out. Feminists study who does what at home.

Which describes joint conjugal roles?

the partners share paid work, housework and childcare. Tasks are shared, not divided.

Which is a criticism of the feminist view of the family?

it underplays how far roles in many families have become more equal. Men do more at home than in earlier generations.

Feminist views of the family · Cambridge IGCSE Sociology

In plain words

Somebody does the cooking, the washing and the worrying about whose birthday it is. Feminists pointed out who that somebody usually is, and asked why her work has never been counted as work.

8 things to know

Feminists see the family as an institution that benefits men and maintains patriarchy, which is male power.
The domestic division of labour is the way housework and childcare are shared out. Research shows that women still do most of it in most societies, even when they also have paid jobs.
Conjugal roles are the roles of the two partners in a couple. Segregated conjugal roles are separate: traditionally the man earns and the woman runs the home. Joint conjugal roles are shared: both do paid work, housework and childcare.
The dual burden is the double load of paid work and housework. The triple shift adds a third task: the emotional work of caring for the family's feelings.
Decision-making: studies have found that men often take the most important decisions, such as those about money and moving house, especially where they earn more.
Domestic violence and abuse is violence, threats or controlling behaviour within the home. Feminists see it as an expression of male power, and point out that much of it goes unreported.
Gendered socialisation: within the family, girls and boys are brought up differently, so the next generation learns the same unequal roles.
Criticism. Families are more equal than they were, and men do more at home than in the past. Women have more choice and legal protection. Feminism can overlook women who are content with their role, and the differences between families of different classes and cultures.

Worked example

A woman works full time, does most of the cooking and cleaning, and is the one who comforts the children and remembers every appointment. Describe her position in feminist terms.

Paid work and housework together are the dual burden.
Managing everyone's feelings and needs is emotional work.
All three together make the triple shift.
The conjugal roles here are not joint, even though both partners earn.

Tips and tricks

Dual burden is two jobs: paid work and housework. Triple shift is three: add emotional work.
Use evidence for both sides: men do more than their fathers did, but women still do more than men.

5 questions, about 2 minutes.

It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.

Feminist views of the family: 5 questions and answers

These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.

What is patriarchy?
- rule by the oldest family member
- a system in which men hold power (the answer)
- a family with one parent
- equal sharing of housework
Feminists argue that the family maintains it.
What is the dual burden?
- having two children
- having two jobs outside the home
- doing paid work and most of the housework (the answer)
- caring for two parents
Two loads carried by one person.
What is the domestic division of labour?
- how housework and childcare are shared out (the answer)
- how a factory organises its staff
- the wages paid to cleaners
- the laws on working hours
Feminists study who does what at home.
Which describes joint conjugal roles?
- the man earns and the woman keeps house
- the woman makes every decision
- the partners live apart
- the partners share paid work, housework and childcare (the answer)
Tasks are shared, not divided.
Which is a criticism of the feminist view of the family?Stretch
- it ignores housework
- it says men do too much at home
- it underplays how far roles in many families have become more equal (the answer)
- it is too positive about family life
Men do more at home than in earlier generations.

5 questions

Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.

Worksheet

3 questions, 10 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.

Feminist views of the family

Cambridge IGCSE Sociology 0495 · 10 marks · papermunch.org

Name ______________________________ Date ______________

What is meant by the term "conjugal roles"?[2]
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The roles played by the two partners in a marriage or couple.
I got this one
Describe the difference between segregated and joint conjugal roles.[4]
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With segregated conjugal roles, the partners have separate and different tasks, traditionally the man as breadwinner and the woman as homemaker. With joint conjugal roles, the partners share paid work, housework, childcare and decisions.
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Explain what feminists mean by the "triple shift".[4]
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Many women do three kinds of work. They do paid work outside the home. They do most of the housework and childcare. They also do the emotional work of looking after the feelings and well-being of family members.
I got this one

Answers: Feminist views of the family

1. The roles played by the two partners in a marriage or couple.
2. With segregated conjugal roles, the partners have separate and different tasks, traditionally the man as breadwinner and the woman as homemaker. With joint conjugal roles, the partners share paid work, housework, childcare and decisions.
3. Many women do three kinds of work. They do paid work outside the home. They do most of the housework and childcare. They also do the emotional work of looking after the feelings and well-being of family members.