Gender roles, or sex roles to many, are important to the study
of family interaction because our definition of the part(s) we
play in family relationships, and thus the very meaning which we
attach to family ties, are guided to a great extent by our
concept of gender appropriate behavior. Some Sociological
Definitions These are the building blocks of social structure.
Status is a position in society that carries with it certain
distinct behaviors and abilities. Role is the behavioral
definition required by persons occupying certain statuses.
Gender Roles are the behaviors required by persons occupying the
Male or Female Status Think of all the relationships in which
you figure as a player. This social web is spun for you by the
generations before you. You, in turn, begin maintaining it,
spinning off new strands to relationships newly formed. Each
person occupying a status on the end of a role carries symbolic
meaning of their purpose in the relationship. In society we
differentiate between groups of people ba