Role overload occurs when (a) a person's various roles ...

[TVarnum]

Role overload occurs when
 
  (a) a person's various roles carry more responsibilities than a person can reasonably manage.
  (b) an individual takes an elective drama class.
  (c) a person remarries after the death of a spouse.
  (d) a woman decides to work outside of the home.

Question 2

Discuss the structural-functional perspective. Identify the functions of families as outlined by Talcott Parsons. What are the criticisms of this theory?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[kthug]

Answer to Question 1

(a)

Answer to Question 2

The student should indicate that the structural-functionalist perspective views the family as a social institution that performs certain functions for society. Include the three main functions of a family. Society is made up of many parts that allow it to remain stable. The parts generally include family, schools, government, economic systems, etc. Each part of a society has manifest and latent functions. Parsons also identified that within families, husbands and wives performed instrumental and expressive roles. These roles allowed the family to remain stable. Criticisms include its narrow view of family and divorce and its neglect of the significance of everyday interactions of individuals.