Final answer:
Women are responsible for emotional labor in intimate relations, a term by Arlie Hochschild. The division of labor by gender connects to Functionalist theory, which maintains that such divisions maintain household stability. It is false that women couldn't handle wartime burdens; historically, they have filled various crucial roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of intimate relations and other institutions, women are often responsible for what Arlie Hochschild termed emotional labor. This concept refers to the process of managing feelings and expressions to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job which, in the domestic sphere, typically involves nurturing, caregiving, and managing the emotional well-being of family members.
The idea that gender inequality stems from the division of labor aligns with the sociological theory of Functionalist. This perspective posits that social structures and institutions exist because they serve a function, in this case, keeping the household running smoothly by assigning different roles to men and women.
As for the assertion that many women were incapable of handling the burdens of war when their husbands and fathers went off to fight, the statement is false. History shows that women have stepped into various roles during wartime, including but not limited to industrial jobs, clerical positions, and providing healthcare.
Overall, women's roles in the labor force, both paid and unpaid, and the accompanying expectations reflect deeply ingrained cultural and social norms that have evolved but continue to influence gender dynamics in labor.