Role differentiation in the nuclear family: a comparative study

Family, Socialization and Interaction Process • Free Press • Glencoe • Published In • Pages: 307-352 •
By Zelditch, Morris

Abstract

In a volume devoted to the understanding of the American family, the author, using data from 56 societies, tests a couple of hypotheses about role differentiation in the nuclear family.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Ethnographic ReportsResearchers Own

Hypotheses (4)

HypothesisSupported
". . . Malinowski's hypothesis . . . states that we expect all matrilineal cases to show both father and mother [have] expressive [roles]" (329)Not Supported
"A breakdown of the instrumental role into provision [economic support] and socialization functions [in matrilineal cases shows that] . . . the husband-father [not the mother's brother] is generally held responsible for the support of his own wife and children" (330)Supported
". . . the effect of focus on mother's descent group does not reverse the allocation of roles in the nuclear family" (335)Supported
". . . in patrilineal, bilateral, and dual descent cases . . . we would expect that the father would take the instrumental role" (335)Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas