Over the last 50 years we have seen changes in the family structure. In the process, women's roles have also changed, yet we still see inequalities at home, in the workplace and in public life, despite women proving themselves equal to men. Talcott Parsons (1955) proposed a functionalist model that suggests a clear division of labor in which men have an 'instrumental role' aimed at success at work and women have an 'expressive role' aimed at socializing their children and satisfying their needs family emotions. He argues that the division of labor is based on biological differences and states that women were better suited to nurturing and emotional roles while men tended to take on the role of providing. Young and Willmot (1973) support Talcott with their "March of Progress" They consider and state that the family is becoming more and more equal in terms of work divided equally. They say families are taking on a more symmetrical role where women go to work and men help with housework and childcare. Although they are not identical, it can be seen that the roles have become and continue to become more similar. Ann Oakley (1974) argues that this is not convincing evidence as men overemphasize their contribution to the family with only 15% having a high level of participation in housework. and 25% help with child care. She states that men are happy to contribute to housework and childcare, however they would only help with the more "pleasant" aspects. Ann Oakley's views are supported by Mary Bolton (1983) and Akan Warde and Kevin Hatherington (1993) who state that less than 20% of husbands had an important role in childcare and that sex typification is still a major problem in domestic environment. Ann Oakley has clear evidence... halfway through the document... of the family income and allowance system where the husband gave the wife an allowance for food, children and based on how much these would cost a small sum for himself itself. Works Cited Rachael Saunders theguardian.com, Wednesday 6 February 2013: date accessed 22/11/2013 Browne, K., (2008) Sociology for AS. Polity Press: CambridgeNewbold, C., Peace, M., Swain, L., Wright, M. (2008) AQA Sociology AS. Nelson Thornes: CheltenhamWebb, R., Westergaard, H., Trobe, K., Steel, L. (2008) A2 Sociology, Napier Press: BrentwoodSociology in focus, 1998, Causeway press LTDCitations used: Ann Oakley (1974) Page 120Mary Bolton (1983) Page 120Young and Willmot (1973) Page 123Key Ideas in Sociology, Martin Slattery, 2003Information used: Gender scriptFinancial violenceDouble burdenWebb et al, 2008http://mcgraw-hill.co.uk/openup/chapters/0335213200.pdf