Young and Willmott: There Has Been a March of Progress Towards Gender Equality

Young and Willmott: There Has Been a March of Progress Towards Gender Equality

1. Family life is gradually improving for all its members with division of labour becoming more equal and democratic.

2. For example, in the early industrial family during the 19th century conjugal roles were segregated with a clear cut division of labour. Women would spend their leisure time with their female kin and neighbours, whilst men would go to the pub with their workmates.

   • However, in the modern symmetrical family, conjugal roles are joint with women in employment and men helping with domestic work and childcare. Couples now spend leisure time together.

3. This is a result of major social changes such as changes in the position of women. More women now work, and this contributed to the march of progress because women are no longer financially dependent on men or restricted to the clear cut domestic role.

4. Criticism: Edgall studied 38 couples to test their theory. None of the couples were symmetrical, as none of the couples had joint conjugal roles in housework. Though, 45% had joint conjugal roles in childcare.