The Parsons model was used to contrast and illustrate extreme positions on gender roles. Model A describes total separation of male and female roles, while Model B describes the complete dissolution of barriers between gender roles3.
Model A - Total role segregation
Model B - Total disintegration of roles
Education
gender-specific education, high professional qualification is important only for the man
co-educative schools, same content of classes for girls and boys, same qualification for men and women
Profession
the workplace is not the primary area of women, career and professional advancement is unimportant for women
for women, career is just as important as for men, therefore equal professional opportunities for men and women are necessary
Housework
housekeeping and child care are the primary functions of the woman, participation of the man in these functions is only partially wanted
all housework is done by both parties to the marriage in equal shares
Decision making
in case of conflict man has the last say, for example in choosing the place to live, choice of school for children, buying decisions
man cannot dominate over woman, solutions do not always follow the principle of finding a concerted decision, this may lead to separate vacations, or living in different apartments
Child care and education
woman takes care of the largest part of these functions, she educates children and cares for them in every way
man and woman share these functions equally
Both extreme positions are rarely found in reality. Actual behavior of individuals is somewhere between these poles. The most common 'model' followed in real life is the 'model of double burden'
According to the interactionist approach, roles (including gender roles) are not fixed, but are constantly negotiated between individuals.
Gender role can influence all kinds of behavior, such as choice of clothing, choice of work and personal relationships; e.g., parental status
