Question

pablo feels pressure to be a strong, independent provider. his wife, however, complains that he is not sensitive enough. according to pleck, pablo is experiencing

multiple choice

role discontinuity.

role strain.

role conflict.

Explanation:

Analyze the scenario

The prompt describes Pablo, who feels pressure to be a strong, independent provider (traditional male gender role expectations). At the same time, his wife complains that he is not sensitive enough (demands for emotional expressiveness and connection).

Apply Pleck's theory

According to Joseph Pleck's theory of male role strain, gender roles are contradictory and inconsistent. Individuals experience psychological strain when they try to satisfy contradictory expectations of a single role or when they fail to meet the culturally prescribed gender role standards.

Differentiate the options

• Role strain: This occurs when there are conflicting demands within a single role (such as the male gender role requiring both emotional distance/strength and sensitivity/expressiveness). Pleck specifically conceptualized this psychological friction as "role strain" (or gender role strain).
• Role conflict: This typically refers to conflict between two or more separate roles (e.g., being a father vs. being an employee).
• Role discontinuity: This refers to a lack of transition or consistency in roles across different life stages.

Determine the correct choice

Because the conflicting expectations (being a strong, independent provider vs. being emotionally sensitive) are contradictory demands inherent within the contemporary male gender role itself, Pleck defines this experience as role strain.

Answer:

• role discontinuity.
• role strain. (Correct answer)
• role conflict.