Marriage, Parenthood and Gender Divisions

Abstract

In this chapter we shift from considering arguments surrounding the development of the conjugal family as a relatively isolated and functionally specific unit to considering arguments surrounding relationships within the conjugal family. Here our primary concern is marriage and parenthood, and debates about the roles of men and women — which have so far only been hinted at — are brought on to the centre of the stage. Changes in marriage, parenthood and the sexual division of labour are discussed in the first part of the chapter. Theoretical accounts of gender divisions are discussed in Section 4.2.