Power Relationships.

Michelle [blank_start]Barrett[blank_end] and Mary [blank_start]McIntosh[blank_end] (1991) note that: -Men gain far more from women's [blank_start]domestic[blank_end] work than they give back in financial support. -The financial support that husbands give to their wives is often unpredictable and comes with '[blank_start]strings[blank_end]' attached. - Men usually make the decisions about spending on [blank_start]important[blank_end] items.

Carolyn [blank_start]Vogler[blank_end] (1993) identify two main types of control over family income: The [blank_start]allowance[blank_end] system: Where men give their wives an allowance out of which they have to budget to meet the family's needs, with the man retaining any surplus income for himself. [blank_start]Pooling[blank_end]: where both partners have access to income and joint responsibility for expenditure; for example, a joint bank account.

Stephen [blank_start]Edgell[blank_end]'s (1980) study of professional couples found that: -[blank_start]Very[blank_end] important decisions such as change of [blank_start]job[blank_end] or moving house was either made by the [blank_start]husband[blank_end] or made jointly with the husband having the [blank_start]final say[blank_end]. -Important decisions, such as their children's [blank_start]education[blank_end] or where to go on holiday. Made jointly or by the [blank_start]wife alone[blank_end]. -Less important decisions such as the choice of the homes décor, children's clothes or food purchases, were usually made by the wife alone.