Assess the view that it is no longer important to talk about the patriarchal society today (24 marks)
In the 19th century (or even a century before) society was deemed upon as a patriarchal dominance. (Male dominating society). Where husband/father would work and provide money for the family, whereas the wife/mother was seen as the nurturer or carer for everyone; especially for the children. Also doing domestic chores. However it is now possible to state, in the 21st century the roles have switched and women have become more independent in terms of finance; more women orientated, and more men as househusbands.
The functionalist view of talking about the patriarchal family today is relevant, as they still deem upon how men and women portray the roles which were present from the 1950s era.
Men would express the 'instrumental role' the position of a person who supports the family with finance and also known as the authority figure, whereas women would be stereotyped as the 'expressive role', and would stay at home and and look after the children. (Housewife) The husband and wife would have segregated conjugal roles. Where they would have different roles and spend their leisure time separately. Conversely, Willmott and young would argue that this was not the case now in the 21st century; as men and women have switched roles; and therefore it is irrelevant to consider the family as patriatchal. The symmetrical family is evident in today's day and age as more women go to work; whilst many husbands stay home and look after the kids. Willmott and Young assessed the family with their leisure time spent together, and the family more privatised.
From the feminist perspective, Ann Oakley believed that Will and Young exaggerated about the symmetrical family; she found absolutely no symmetry in domestic labour, how husbands 'helped' by ironing their own shirts once a week. From her viewpoint it is relevant to talk about the patriarchal society today; she believed...