A recently divorced client, who is a lawyer, comes to the clinic. She

A recently divorced client, who is a lawyer, comes to the clinic. She has gotten custody of her two teenagers and states, “It is going to impossible for me to raise my children the way I’d like and keep working as hard as I do.” This is an example of:

1. Role strain
2. Role conflict
3. Role ambiguity
4. Gender role stereotype

ANSWER

ANS: 2
Role conflict results when a person is required to simultaneously assume two or more roles that are inconsistent, contradictory, or mutually exclusive. The single mother who is having difficulty managing working long hours and trying to raise her children as she perceives she would like to, is experiencing role conflict. Role strain is a feeling of frustration when a person feels inadequate or feels unsuited to a role, such as with gender role stereotypes. Role ambiguity involves unclear role expectations. The client is not expressing doubt as to what her roles are. A gender role stere-otype is where there is an expectation that something is a “man’s role” or a “woman’s role” be-cause the position has been typically held by a man or woman. The client is not expressing con-cern about a gender role stereotype, but rather in managing two contradictory roles.