In society men and women have separate expectations that are demanded of them. The Division of Labor is another subject in which society has control over and made an example of in many family homes. First we must understand that there are different types of families made up in America today.One type of family is most common is the two parent home. This type of family has the most influence from society expectations. With this type of family, the division of labor between couples becomes more traditional as women assume the primary responsibility for both household and parental chores. Although a lot of women today work outside the home, women still must tend to do majority of the household chores and childcare. (Kimmel 2004 p. 133)
In the year 2050, we believe we will come accustomed to a higher rate of divorced families in America. For women, assessing the impact of divorce starts with an examination of the gendered division of responsibility within the family. This division of labor has two important consequences upon divorce: it increases disparities in earning capacity and it encourages mothers to develop a closer relationship with their children than fathers do. (Sebattini and Leaper)
In the year 2050, one name American will know and understand the work of is Scott Coltrane. Coltrane developed a division of labor chart that equally determines the house hold duties in a family. This chart will became apart of families households, whether two-parent, single parent or dual earners, this chart will truly make a families life seem much easier and equally assessed. While studying the division of labor, our class had an assignment on the division of labor assessment and we had to observe a family of our choice and observe the way the DOL exists in their family. One of the assignments we was most enthused by was John Pankowski. John decided to observe his own family and this indeed opened up his true feelings of how much his wife did around the house than he did, until he organized the Division of Labor chart. There was also a sense of comfort when reading John's paper, we liked the idea of John including his older two children from a previous marriage, although they do not live with him. We understand the sense of support John offers his wife, when she wanted to become part time from a full time job to have more time for her family. After reading your Division of Labor assignment we feel relief that there is actually an American Family out there that is normal, with both working parents and still have time for the children. We would hope for this in the future but only time will tell.
2 comments:
I'm pleased that my Division of Labor chart and threaded discussion caught the interest of some of my classmates. By using the chart developed by Scott Coltrane, most families can get a clearer idea of the division of labor within their household. In the future world of 2050, I think that couples who are married will possibly have a even greater equality within their household division of labor. This will be due to the changing trends of men accepting more parental duties and household tasks. This long overdue acceptance of responsibilities is vital for a successful family and marriage. Women have assumed more responsibilities financially and have careers now. This will lead to more equality in the future division of labor. In the text by Kimmel, he describes today's workplace as what it is. I believe that by the year 2050, this atmosphere in the workplace will no longer be what it is today. There is a sea of change on the near horizon. Kimmel says that "the workplace remains a decidedly unequal arena, plaqued by persistent sex segregation, wage inequality, sex discrimination, and sexual harassment. These inequalities exaggerate and even create the differences we think we observe." (Kimmel, 2004) The future labor force will phase out this lopsided division of labor and women will occupy perhaps more in number and quality careers than men. They are on their way with higher education and the ability to have children, a career, and a social life without a husband. It already has begun.
I think in the future you won't have to worry about having enough time to clean the house or cook dinner. We will have smart homes that do this for us. I believe that these smart homes will allow for families to have more time together, as well as in the workforce. The families will be able to go to work, come home to a hot dinner, a clean house, and their children. There will be no division of labor within the house because the house will do it all for you. Tiny wireless sensors, cameras and microphones will be everywhere. They will all be connected to each other and can determine your current health status and environment.It will automatically open curtains, adjust room temperatures, start dinner, can call repair men to fix broken appliances, etc. with verbal commands. Technology like this is already being tested (Future For all). Mothers and fathers can then spend time with each other and their children rather than arguing who is going to do what around the house. There isn't a stress of cleaning up messes and getting things in order. This may actually slow divorce rates.
Future For All. Retrieved on August 10, 2007 from http://www.futureforall.org/home/homeofthefuture.htm
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