Question

Functionalists view gender roles in which of the following ways? A. Gender roles assist in keeping women oppressed within the family structure. B. Gender roles have a bias toward male power. C. Gender roles are necessary to keep the family in balance. D. All of these answers are correct.

Answer 1

Functionalists view gender roles as necessary for maintaining family balance, with men and women assuming different but complementary roles that have been passed down through generations.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to functionalists, gender roles are primarily viewed as essential components to the balance and functionality of a family. They argue that these roles were established in the pre-industrial era and are passed down through generations.

The division of labor within the family—the men assuming instrumental roles, such as providing financial support, and women taking on expressive roles, like caregiving and emotional support—creates a system that ensures families are well-balanced and coordinated.

If these roles are disturbed, the family must adjust to restore balance.

Therefore, in relation to the provided choices for how functionalists view gender roles, the correct answer would likely be C. Gender roles are necessary to keep the family in balance.