Conjugal Role Relationships » Traditional Family Roles

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The meaning of conjugal role relationships and how they've changed over time
Traditional family roles and the division of labour between men and women
The concept of patriarchy and how it shapes family structures
Key sociological perspectives on traditional family roles
How to evaluate the strengths and limitations of traditional family structures

🔒 Unlock Full Course Content

Unlock This Course

Understanding Conjugal Role Relationships

Conjugal role relationships refer to the roles performed by husbands and wives (or partners) in a relationship and how these roles are shared or divided. These roles include housework, childcare, decision-making and earning money for the family.

Key Definitions:

Conjugal roles: The roles and responsibilities taken on by partners in a relationship.
Traditional conjugal roles: Clear division of labour between men and women, with men as breadwinners and women as homemakers.
Segregated conjugal roles: Where partners have separate and distinct roles with little overlap.
Joint conjugal roles: Where partners share tasks and responsibilities more equally.
Patriarchy: A system where men hold primary power and authority in society and the family.

👨‍💼 The Male Role

In traditional families, the man's role was typically:

The breadwinner (earning money)
Head of the household
Decision-maker on important matters
Disciplinarian for children
Responsible for household repairs and maintenance

👩‍🏠 The Female Role

In traditional families, the woman's role was typically:

Homemaker and housekeeper
Primary caregiver for children
Responsible for cooking, cleaning and laundry
Emotional support for family members
Managing day-to-day household affairs

The Traditional Family Model

The traditional family model became particularly dominant in the UK during the 1950s, following World War II. During this period, there was a strong emphasis on the nuclear family with clearly defined gender roles.

Key Features of Traditional Family Roles

💪 Instrumental Role

Men were expected to perform the instrumental role - providing financial support and making major decisions. This role was focused on tasks that connected the family to the outside world.

❤️ Expressive Role

Women were expected to perform the expressive role - providing emotional support, nurturing children and maintaining harmony in the home. This role focused on the internal emotional needs of family members.

📝 Segregated Roles

Tasks were clearly divided with little overlap. Men and women had separate spheres of responsibility and often spent leisure time separately. The saying "a woman's place is in the home" reflected this division.

Case Study Focus: Willmott and Young's Study

In the 1950s, sociologists Peter Willmott and Michael Young studied families in East London. They found that working-class families typically had segregated conjugal roles where:

Men worked long hours and spent leisure time with male friends at pubs or sports events
Women formed strong support networks with female relatives and neighbours
Husbands handed over their wages to wives who managed the household budget
There was little sharing of domestic tasks

This research provided evidence of how traditional roles operated in real families during this period.

Sociological Perspectives on Traditional Family Roles

Functionalist View

Functionalists like Talcott Parsons argued that traditional gender roles were beneficial for society and family stability:

The division of labour was seen as efficient and complementary
Men's instrumental role and women's expressive role were viewed as natural and suited to their biological differences
This arrangement was thought to prevent competition between spouses and provide clear role models for children
The family unit functioned better when everyone knew their place and responsibilities

Feminist Critique

Feminist sociologists have strongly criticised traditional family roles:

Ann Oakley argued that the housewife role is a social construction, not a natural role for women
Traditional roles confine women to unpaid domestic labour while men gain power, status and financial independence
The traditional family serves male interests by providing free domestic services and emotional support
Women's domestic work is undervalued despite being essential to society

👍 Arguments Supporting Traditional Roles

Clear division of responsibilities can reduce conflict
Some argue it provides stability for children
Some religious and cultural groups value these arrangements
Some women and men prefer these clearly defined roles

👎 Arguments Against Traditional Roles

Restricts individual freedom and potential
Creates financial dependency for women
Devalues domestic work and childcare
Places pressure on men to be sole providers
Can lead to power imbalances and inequality

The Decline of Traditional Family Roles

Since the 1950s, traditional family roles have undergone significant changes in the UK:

Women's employment: The percentage of women in paid work has increased dramatically, challenging the male breadwinner model
Educational opportunities: Women now outperform men in many educational areas, opening up career possibilities
Legal changes: Legislation like the Equal Pay Act and Sex Discrimination Act have supported women's rights
Contraception: Reliable birth control has given women more control over family planning
Changing attitudes: Society has become more accepting of diverse family forms and gender equality

Case Study Focus: The Symmetrical Family

In a follow-up study in the 1970s, Willmott and Young identified what they called the "symmetrical family" emerging among middle-class households:

Both partners were likely to work outside the home
Domestic tasks were shared more equally (though women still did more)
Couples spent more leisure time together rather than separately
Decision-making was more democratic

They suggested this represented a significant shift away from traditional segregated roles, though critics argued they exaggerated the extent of the change.

Evaluating Traditional Family Roles Today

While traditional family roles have declined in the UK, they haven't disappeared completely:

Women still perform more domestic work than men, even when both partners work full-time (the "double shift")
Gender pay gaps persist, making it more economically rational in many families for women to reduce working hours when children arrive
Some communities and religious groups continue to value traditional arrangements
Media representations often reinforce traditional gender expectations

For your iGCSE Sociology exam, it's important to understand both the historical context of traditional family roles and how to evaluate their impact on individuals and society. You should be able to discuss different sociological perspectives and use evidence to support your arguments.

Exam Tips for Discussing Traditional Family Roles

Always define key terms like "conjugal roles" and "patriarchy"
Use sociological theories (functionalism, feminism) to analyse traditional roles
Include specific studies like Willmott and Young to support your points
Consider both positive and negative aspects of traditional arrangements
Discuss how and why roles have changed over time
Link to wider social factors like education, employment and legislation

🔒 Test Your Knowledge!