The term for the nurturing, caring and emotional role in a traditional family is:

The term for the nurturing, caring and emotional role in a traditional family is:

• A. Instrumental role
• B. Expressive role
• C. Division of labour
• D. Privatised nuclear family

Answer: (B)

In Parsons’ view of the family, there are two complementary roles. The nurturing, caring and emotional tasks—the warmth, support, and socialising of children—are described as the expressive role. This role is traditionally associated with the mother in a traditional family, aiming to maintain emotional well-being and cohesion at home. The other key role, the instrumental one, covers practical tasks like providing money, making important decisions, and managing external affairs.

So the expressive role is the label for the emotional, caring side of family life. The instrumental role describes the breadwinner/decision-maker side, while the division of labour simply refers to how tasks are shared, and the privatised nuclear family is about the family unit’s social position rather than a role within the family.