Gender Theory and the Division of Labor in Families Essay (Critical Writing)

The four articles generally analyze gender disparity in families depending on a particular community’s prevailing cultural beliefs. Gender inequality exists in each family because their traits and competencies vary (Sullivan et al., 2018). Categorizing men and women in opposite-sex marriages based on cultural beliefs makes them more or less appropriate for particular roles (Yavorsky et al., 2015; Bianchi et al., 2012). Similarly, Goldberg (2013) researched on same-sex marriages and found that homosexual couples understood family roles based on relational attitudes. Both partners do not follow the norms of heterosexual couples when they enact house arrangements. This paper summarizes gender theory and findings of sexual orientation and the division of labor in families.

There are discordant theories about the normative duties of men and women in a traditional family. For example, feminism is among the gender revolution theories implying that both men and women should have equal rights and opportunities in society. On the same note, Yavorsky et al. (2015) argue that men initially dominated the labor force, and higher education attainment and societal expectations concerning parenthood have shifted. Moreover, today’s conceptualization of fatherhood emphasizes fathers’ economic roles alongside the need to engage in the emotional development of their children. Women’s responsibilities have changed to include financial support to the family, urging more men to perform part of the housework (Yavorsky et al., 2015; Bianchi et al., 2012). Therefore, gender roles have transformed and included equitable divisions of domestic responsibilities.

Despite the insights mentioned above, women still play fundamental roles in a family. Sullivan et al. (2018) and Yavorsky et al. (2015) noted that women shoulder most home tasks apart from participating in paid labor as men do. They perform routine chores such as laundry, cooking, and childcare, apart from their employment. Bianchi et al. (2012) found that “mothers on average (with wives averaging 1.7 times the housework of husbands, and married mothers averaging 1.9 times the housework of married fathers” (p. 56). There are assumptions that attitudes predict the behavior of each person in a family. For instance, couples in a same-sex marriage perceive house roles as belonging to both of them, while those in a heterogeneous marriage view the duties based on their cultural construction. Women perform more tasks in a home to express femininity, while men are reluctant to complete similar assignments to portray masculinity.

The research findings can be referenced when empowering women and creating equal rights policies. It is evident that both genders have similar capabilities in homemaking and participating in paid labor. Yavorsky et al. (2015) note that a third can be included in a family to distribute housework. This idea helps women to avail more time for participation in professional roles, contributing to economic development and eradicating poverty. In policy creation, the findings help advocate for equal employment opportunities and treatments in the labor force.

Conclusively, the articles presented exciting insights on gender and division of labor. Traditional theories viewed women to be more responsible for housework as opposed to men. However, the roles have changed to include women participating in paid tasks. Women in heterogeneous marriages still perform most house chores to express femininity while men sparingly engage in them due to masculinity. Homosexual couples do not follow the notions of their counterparts. The theories discussed are fundamental in empowering women to increase their participation in paid labor and create equal rights policies.

References

Bianchi, M. S., Sayer, L. C., Milkie, M. A., & Robinson, J. P. (2012). Housework: Who did, does or will do it, and how much does it matter? Social Forces, 91(1) 55-63. Web.

Goldberg, A. E. (2013). “Doing” and “undoing” gender: The meaning and division of housework in same‐sex couples. Journal of family theory & review, 5, 85-104. Web.

Sullivan, O., Gershuny, J. Robinson, J. P. (2018). Stalled or uneven gender revolution? A long‐term processual framework for understanding why change is slow. Journal of family theory & review, 10(1), 263-279. Web.

Yavorsky, J. E., Kamp, C. M., & Schoppe-Sullivan, S. J. (2015). The production of inequality: the gender division of labor across the transition to parenthood. Journal of marriage and family, 77(3), 662-679. Web.