Q.Gender roles in domestic sphere in modern industrial societies are more or less a reflection of patriarchal values. Critically evaluate.

Relevance: Sociology Paper I: Systems of Kinship: Patriarchy and sexual division of labour. &

Paper II: Religion and Society:Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour. 

Model Answer:

Natural inequalities are those which are given to man by nature by virtue of his birth and heredity.

Colour, sex, height etc. are the manifestation of natural inequalities. When social privileges and opportunities are differently distributed on natural inequalities, it gives rise to growth of social inequalities. Therefore, sex is a form of natural inequality, but when socio cultural connotations are attached to it, gender makes appearance. Gender as a socio cultural construct defines the role of men and women in different spheres of society.

In contemporary times, while all sorts of gender inequalities continue to exist, and some of these seem resistant to change, they exist in a completely different context of cultural norms, political and social rights, and institutionalized rules. Male domination has not disappeared, but it is on the defensive and its foundations are crumbling.

 Patriarchy refers to domination of man and subordination of women. Changes in the 21st century have led to a decrease in patriarchy and patriarchal values both within the society as well within a household.

In the modern industrial society, there have been tremendous gains in the direction of gender equality, but significant inequalities remain. Some of the rights which women have achieved are legal rights or the right to vote, increase in labour force participation and other factors leading to increasing independence of women.

In the domestic sphere, earlier women were a full time homemaker, and the husband was the breadwinner. This division of labour was more or less rigid in all societies across the world. As a full-time homemaker, the wife/mother did virtually all of the housework and most of the childcare, except for some recreational activities. The roles of women outside of the home, however, began to change rapidly in the decades after 1950 through increases in the labor force participation rates of married women, and increasingly changes in their occupational roles and relative earnings.

This led to changes within the division of labor in the home. Working women are common now, but women still bear the burden of doing the household work. This leads to double exploitation, as women are required to do work outside as well as inside the house, whereas men are considered to work outside the home.

According to Diana Leonor, in modern industrial societies, family mostly operates like class situation. In industry, entrepreneurs generate surplus by appropriating the difference between market value of reproductive labour and wage given to labours. In the same way, in family, women are not paid for their labour. More so, their work is never recognised, their contribution is considered as a cultural stereotype in domain of patriarchy. Family glorifies reproductive role of women. It justifies domestication of women and legitimises their exploitation.

Malvika Karlekar and Susan Wadley consider that dualistic responsibility (work and family) associated with women compel them to stay committed to initial workplace. She is given very little time to update her knowledge, acquire new technology and dynamic market. This leads to women lagging behind men in the occupational sphere. Though this is still far from an equal sharing of housework, but it reflects some real movement in that direction. Full-time working mothers still do a second shift at home, and they have less free time than their husbands, but the disparity has begun to decline.

Further, though women are allowed to work outside the home, their job is considered less important.

Women are expected to make all the compromises and generally end up leaving the job after a child is born. This shows the persistence of patriarchy.

Further, women in earlier times were assumed to desire marriage because it allowed them to become mothers rather than to pursue sexual or emotional satisfaction. Girls usually married in their early to mid-20s. Typically, the groom would be five years older. But in contemporary times, this restriction of age has been removed. Age of the women is not an important factor to decide the marriage. Further, marriage is no more dominated by men, women are consulted for their marriage and they decide whom they want to marry. Thus, gender equality in terms of partner selection is present.

But the traditions and norms like patrilocality and adoption of the husbands name by the women shows the persistence of patriarchy. For example, women generally are forced to adopt their husband’s name due to societal pressure.

Further, the acceptance of domestic violence as illegal and gradual acceptance of marital rape as being illegal proves the acceptance of women’s rights legally. Thus male violence has become objectionable and illegal, providing a step ahead to equality of women.

Increase in divorce levels (many of them by women) show that women object and fight against exploitation. Also, proliferation of types of family shows increase in gender equality. Recent times have shown men taking increasing interest in taking care of children, which can be proven by paternity leaves and courses for men. This is a positive towards gender equality.

Lastly, earlier men were the sole decision makers, but gradually women have also come into decision making powers. Decisions are generally taken after consultation with the women. This is a very important aspect, as historically women have been excluded from taking decisions within the household.

Thus, several gender roles in the modern industrial society are a reflection of patriarchy, but the gender roles have changed drastically in the last few decades and these changes are towards achieving further gender equality. Arguing that all gender roles are a reflection of patriarchy is wrong, because the feminist movement and gradual awakening of women towards their rights has led to changes in all the countries, leading to a setback to patriarchy.