GS201 Chapter Notes -Nuclear Family, Class Conflict, Bourgeoisie
Document Summary
Marriage is seen for women as destination they need to reach in life, and the only acceptable destination. This becomes a problem because women living the housewife lifestyle are feeling unfulfilled in their lives. Men have the need to support the family and provide. A woman"s income is seen as a second income and one that shouldn"t be necessary if a man is successful outside of the home. If a woman is supporting the family the man should be seen as not good enough to care for his family and therefore unsuccessful in his business life. This brings embarrassment and a sense of loss of masculinity to this man and shames his family. The problem that has no name is the issue housewives are feeling about their unfulfilled lives. They are expected to have the television and magazine representation of a happy family and if they don"t they are made to believe that it is their fault.
