Conventional family

A family ideal which Oakley defined as a nuclear family consisting of a legally married couple who voluntarily choose to have one or more children.

In her 1982 analysis, Ann Oakley examined the conventional family: a nuclear family consisting of a legally married couple who voluntarily choose to have one or more children. She investigated why this arrangement was presented as the normal and desirable way to live.

In Ann Oakley’s account, a nuclear family composed of a legally married couple voluntarily choosing parenthood of one or more children.

Distinguish Oakley’s 1974 housework interviews from her 1982 analysis of the conventional family.

Keep the thinkers distinct: Delphy and Leonard emphasise exploitation and family hierarchy; Oakley criticises the conventional family and its idealised image.

In Oakley’s account, a nuclear family consisting of a legally married couple who voluntarily choose to have children, commonly associated with traditional expectations of a male breadwinner and female homemaker.

Ann Oakley (1982) examined the conventional family: a nuclear family consisting of a legally married couple who voluntarily choose to have children. It is commonly associated with a male breadwinner and a female homemaker. Oakley reviewed other researchers’ work and used official statistics to develop her criticism.

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AQA GCSE Sociology · 8192

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Eduqas GCSE Sociology · C200