Abstract
In this chapter, the author shared his personal trouble arises from doubts about the traditional division of family roles. Using his own autobiography and data from six in-depth interviews, the author attempted to examine the idea of “men outside, women inside”. He wanted to find out why he wants to challenge the traditional gender role and the resistances to change it. This discussion led to a re-examination of social determinism and voluntarism. Berger and Kellner’s formula on repression and freedom was revised with conflict and negotiation added into the formula as two crucial elements for couples to break through the tradition family roles. The author concluded that sociology is a discipline that can bring insights to people and it is the reason why he wants to promote sociology to laymen.
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- 1.
Pleck’s research is primarily about men, but his theory of gender role strain also applies to women.
- 2.
a/b: a = the birth order of the interviewee, 1 representing the first born; b = the number of siblings including the interviewee
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Kwok-To, M.C. (2013). Men Inside, Women Outside?. In: Kwok-bun, C. (eds) International Handbook of Chinese Families. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0266-4_34
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