Symmetrical family

Symmetrical family

1. Idea based on the thoughts of Young and Willmott.

   • 1973.

2. It is nuclear.

   • A husband and wife with one or more children.

3. It is home-centred and privatised.

   • Family life is focussed on the home.
   • Husband and wife look to each other for companionship.
   • Leisure is home-based, for example, watching tv.
   • There is little contact with those outside the immediate family.

4. It is symmetrical.

   • The roles of husband and wife are increasingly similar.
   • Husbands play a greater part in domestic life.

5. Possible explanations

   • It was around the time divorce became easier for women, so men may have tried harder so their wives stayed with them.
   • Women were going out to work more so men had to share the domestic jobs.