A Study of Household Decision Making in Black, Lesbian Stepfamilies

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SECTION ONE
Gendered power relations among women: A study of household decision making in Black, lesbian stepfamilies
The article uses the qualitative method of research to analyze the lives of families in same-sex unions. The author in his research has introduced a household population that has not been tackled by the social science literature. The experiences and patterns of the mode of behavior seen in the participants of this study mostly contradict assumptions made in the literature. The qualitative method used to investigate the lives of black, lesbian families is aimed at generating new ideas and asking questions on how the lack of sex differences in such partners affects expectations in families. It is also aimed at creating new ideas on family processes in same-sex relationships including meanings and the sources of authority among adults in families. The method infers at important and more general theoretical questions on mothering and identity (Moore 337).
The results arrived at in this approach indicate that the family’s institutional characteristics are attributed to traditional gendered relations. Participating in a family results in scripts of actions that carry established gendered meanings. Gender continues to influence the construction of family life profoundly despite being in unions of the same-sex. The gender relations perception within lesbian stepfamilies can be used to explain why the biological mother is mainly involved in housework and childcare. It is also the reason why this opinion was previously used to explain why individuals in same-sex unions find gendered meanings in the performance of household tasks (Moore 340).
Moore Mignon in his book uses the sound empirical conclusion to ensure that issues regarding gendered power relations among women are adequately covered. He achieves this in his article "Gendered power relations among women" by employing scientific research methods. An example of the method used entail both qualitative and survey methods to establish the prevailing view that the two elements of egalitarian feminist ideology, economic independence and the equal distribution of housework and childrearing, are the main types of lesbian-headed households (Moore 243).
After analyzing a total of 32 black women in lesbian stepfamilies, Moore found that partners share the providing role with biological mothers undertaking significantly more household chores. Added core responsibility signify greater authority over other aspects of a home organization such as family finances and childrearing. The biological mother is accorded control in a family. It indicates her legal tie to a child which is also a greater perceived responsibility for the well-being of the child. This pattern will persist even when her earnings are less than that of her mate. The families’ associate control over household labor with greater relationship power even without having the gender structure of male privilege or even material advantage which is related to high income. These findings are implications of broader conceptions of sex and power found in families. They also form the basis of interactional power and internal manifestations of ...