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International Socialism, June 1976

 

Graham Veitch

The Symmetrical Family

 

From International Socialism (1st series), No.89, June 1976, p.23.
Transcribed & marked up by Einde O’Callaghan for ETOL.

 

The Symmetrical Family
Michael Young and Peter Willmott
Penguin, £1.00

This curious, rambling book contains two basic theses. The first is that modern families are tending to become ‘symmetrical’, i.e. less sexist in their division of labour. The second is that this tendency is showing itself amongst the middle classes first, but will spread by cultural diffusion to the working classes.

The first thesis is supported by the finding that quite a few men these days help their wives with the washing up ‘at least once a week’. The second is refuted by the authors’ chapter on managing directors, who are revealed (surprise!) as chauvinist pigs.

Not worth a socialist quid.

 
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