The contradictory change of gender relations: the division of labour within families

Abstract

The neoliberal societal change produces new societal interpretative patterns and challenges for families, in connection to which the division of labour within families can be seen as an indicator of the dynamic change of gender relations. With reference to results of a recent hermeneutic and reconstructive research and focusing the familial life-scripts, it becomes clear that there are complex links between societal interpretative patterns and the unconscious, biographical scripts of a triangular familial constellation, which are embedded in daily practice in different ways. Three typical patterns are presented, which include the balancing or division of autonomy and bonding.