According to the conflict perspective, which of the following are ways in which the structure of the family reinforces the patriarchy?
I. Women's labor in the household is often unpaid.
II. Women in general earn less than men, which creates an unequal power balance.
III. Men have been contributing to childrearing more in recent decades.

• A. I & II.
• B. I & III.
• C. II & III.
• D. I, II, & III.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the conflict perspective in sociology, which focuses on how social structures create and maintain inequalities, particularly related to power and resources.
2. Step 2: Analyze statement I: 'Women's labor in the household is often unpaid.' This reflects an inequality where women's work is undervalued, reinforcing patriarchal power by limiting women's economic independence.
3. Step 3: Analyze statement II: 'Women in general earn less than men, which creates an unequal power balance.' This directly points to economic inequality and power imbalance between genders, a key concern of the conflict perspective.
4. Step 4: Analyze statement III: 'Men have been contributing to childrearing more in recent decades.' This suggests a shift toward more equality in family roles, which does not reinforce patriarchy but rather challenges it.
5. Step 5: Conclude which statements align with the conflict perspective's view on how family structure reinforces patriarchy by selecting those that highlight inequality and power imbalance (statements I and II).