Young & Willmott's symmetrical family
Young & Willmott's optimistic theory that modern families are becoming 'symmetrical': both partners contribute to housework and paid work, conjugal roles overlap, and decision-making is joint and egalitarian.
Real World
Young and Willmott's 1973 Bethnal Green study found that 72% of husbands reported 'helping' with housework at least once a week, which they interpreted as evidence of growing symmetry in conjugal roles.
Exam Focus
Always evaluate by noting 'helping' once a week is not equality — feminists like Oakley criticised the methodology as superficial.
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