The Flight from Domestic Space: Men's Roles in the Household

The traditional division of labor in the household along sex lines establishes an inside/outside dichotomy for females and males resulting in some men's separation and alienation from the intimacy of the house. This paper traces the role of early childhood experiences in shaping this dichotomy and it examines adult household patterns which continue to maintain the sex role division. Lastly, positive instances are explored where connectedness with domestic space has become a reality for certain groups of men. A dichotomy exists in our culture in terms of men's and women's relationships with the home. Men appear to be oriented outwardly and women inwardly. The home is a core aspect of human experience; yet men seem to feel uncomfortable when relating to it, and this ultimately has an effect on their activities and relationships both inside and outside the home. This pattern of behavior is counterproductive for men (and for women) and it is the purpose of this paper to discuss two of the prime sources for this behavior and to explore situations where greater connectedness for men to the house has been established. One source of men's separation and alienation from domestic space concerns the process of childhood socialization wherein a variety of factors are responsible for pushing boys outside the home. A second source concerns adult men's learning to internalize a complex model of the home which is construed primarily as female-containing both