Final answer:
In the film Kramer vs. Kramer, the couple initially plays stereotypical gender roles. The husband is portrayed as the breadwinner and the wife as the caregiver and homemaker.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the film Kramer vs. Kramer, the couple initially plays stereotypical gender roles. The husband, Ted Kramer, is portrayed as the breadwinner and the one who focuses on work, while the wife, Joanna Kramer, is depicted as the caregiver and homemaker. This is evident in scenes where Ted is shown working late and being preoccupied with his job, while Joanna is shown primarily taking care of their son and the household responsibilities.
For example, in the beginning of the film, Ted comes home from work expecting the house to be clean and dinner to be prepared, while Joanna is seen rushing around, trying to fulfill these stereotypical expectations. Ted assumes Joanna is not interested in a career and thinks her role is solely to take care of their child and their home.
Overall, these initial portrayals of the couple in stereotypical gender roles conform to traditional societal expectations of the time, where men were expected to be the breadwinners and women were expected to focus on domestic responsibilities.