Final answer:
Functionalists believe men should take on the instrumental role, consisting of providing financial support and family status, contributing to the family's balance and societal stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to functionalist theory, which views the family as integral to the stability of society, men are typically expected to take on the instrumental role. This role encompasses the responsibility of providing financial support and establishing family status, often through work outside of the home. The division into instrumental and expressive roles is thought to ensure efficient functioning and balance within the family unit. Men in instrumental roles and women in expressive roles are societal constructs drawing from traditional expectations where men were hunters or providers, and women were caretakers of the home and children. This division of labor has been seen as effective in preserving the family system and maintaining societal stability.