Verified Document

Family And Marriage Division Of Term Paper

In the beginning of their relationship up until two or three years before their divorce, my mother clearly wanted to do the things associated with mother and wife. My father was also very comfortable as the typical, somewhat distant, working father who designated specific times for fathering and family (Soroka and Bryjak 300-301). In the years leading up to their divorce I think that their comfort with their roles changed. Since we (the children) were getting older, my mother did not need to be tied to the home as much as she had been previously. She wanted to do more activities, like take classes. However, this made my father uncomfortable since he did not see any reason why things would change. He was uncomfortable that my mother wanted to go back to school of work full time, possibly because it might be uncomfortable for him. Additionally, he seemed unwilling to change the status quo (Soroka and Bryjak 301). If the state had any role in my parents' roles and the way that they changed, it was probably in the form of taxes and child support. My parents would not have divorced if my mother had not have expected to get child support from my father. She did not make enough on her own to support herself and three children. Since my father was not abusive, I imagine that she would have stayed with my father if they had lived in a place that did not require my father to support his own children financially. For example, fifty years ago perhaps it would not have been an option for a woman in my mother's position (Soroka and Bryjak 297-298). Additionally, I feel that my mother would not have left my father if there was any chance that she would not have been granted custody of her children. Since some countries are more restrictive to women in terms of custody, the state affected what options my mother had (Stokes 308-315).

My family did, and does, maintain many examples of gender inequality. My father still...

These actions were examples of each of my parents filling their gender roles when they were married, and they continue to show that my parents feel that certain things are male or female. My father does not expect my mother to try and work the lawnmower, even though I expect that it is no harder than keeping up her own house, three children, and a full-time job. My father, as well, will never attempt to bake a cake. In fact, I doubt that he even has the cooking utensils necessary to do so. While some of these decisions may be based on personal preference and convenience, they are also undeniably linked to my mother and father's association with what they are supposed to be doing. Their roles were defined in their marriage and continue to be defined in this way. As Soroka and Bryjak point out, gender stereotypes are maintained and perpetuate themselves since people continue to act the same way, teaching the next generation that that is how it is done (228). Through gender socialization, my mother and father learned how they should interact with one another, with their family, and with their children and they continued to act that way throughout their lives.
Works Cited

Hochschild, Arlie, and Anne Machung. The Second Shift. New York: Penguin, 2003.

Macionis, John J. Society: The Basics. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000.

Soroka, Michael P., and George J. Bryjak. Social Problems: A World at Risk. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1995.

Stokes, Randall. Introduction to Sociology. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown, 1984.

Wood, Samuel E, Ellen Green Wood, and Denise Boyd. The World of Psychology. 5th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2005.

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Hochschild, Arlie, and Anne Machung. The Second Shift. New York: Penguin, 2003.

Macionis, John J. Society: The Basics. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000.

Soroka, Michael P., and George J. Bryjak. Social Problems: A World at Risk. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1995.

Stokes, Randall. Introduction to Sociology. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown, 1984.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Marriage & Family Marriage and
Words: 550 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

The ideal relationship can make use of effective modes of expression that are fully understood by the other person. Summarizing, paraphrasing, validation, and clarification are the best ways to 'disagree and still be (loving) friends,' as in 'So, you're angry that I'm going to a Superbowl party rather than spending the weekend with you. I understand why you're angry and you feel like I'm abandoning you when we have so

Marriage & Family Marriage and
Words: 1797 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

In J. Smith (Ed.), Understanding families into the new millennium: A decade in review (p. 357-381). Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations. Ferree, M. (1984). The view from below: Women's employment and gender equality in working-class families. In B.B. Hess, & M.B. Sussman (Eds), Women and the family: Two decades of change (p. 57-75). New York: Haworth Press. Fung, J. (2010). Factors associated with parent-child (dis)agreement on child behavior and

Family Assessment for Nursing
Words: 5904 Length: 20 Document Type: Research Paper

Family Assessment Description of Family / Genogram Profile of Family The 'T' family has been chosen for the completion of this assignment. Mr. T is the 95-year-old patriarch. His wife and mother of their two children is Mrs. T, 92 years of age. Their children are Wilma and Leon; ages 60 and 62 respectively. Theirs is a nuclear family. Both husband and wife are quick to affirm their lives are full of joy

Marriage Contract Division of Household
Words: 1235 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

In that regard, it is hereby acknowledged that the female partner will have that greater burden but that apart from issues of physical comfort and sacrifice, each partner's emotional priorities relating to the specific choice will enjoy equal priority. Childcare Expectations It is hereby stipulated that the breakdown of childcare responsibilities will be dictated by the provisions of this contract relating to the division of household labor and the respective obligations

Family Therapy Family Establishment and
Words: 4841 Length: 16 Document Type: Term Paper

The roles of various members of the society are a dictate of the culture between the people involved. For instance, culture has always been behind the dictates that have led to the creation of separation among family members. Culture states that it is the responsibility of the family man to provide for the family. Failure to do that will result in conflicts within the family. In essence, many families

Family Break Up
Words: 8857 Length: 22 Document Type: Term Paper

Family Break Up For a humane, the word 'community' hints at people trying to work out solutions to common problems. The term 'community' generally stands for a group that is bigger and more diverse than a family or any group of people bound together with relationships. It also has more elements than being of the same neighborhood or enclave, though not as large as a county or a nation. Certainly it

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now