A Family of Four: Role card 1 (female)
Situation:
The Smith family is having breakfast together on Sunday morning
Characters:
You are Mrs Helen Smith, aged 42, a housewife and former secretary, who is married to Paul Smith (46), a bank clerk. You have two children: Tom (21), a student, who is only at home during weekends, and Linda (16), who attends grammar school.
Aim:
After having some small talk at the breakfast table you inform the family about your intention to go working as a secretary again. You have always taken good care of your family and you have done most of the housework alone.
Starting point of the conversation: small talk at the breakfast table
A Family of Four: Role card 2 (male)
Situation:
The Smith family is having breakfast together on Sunday morning
Characters:
You are Paul Smith, aged 46, a bank clerk, who is married to Helen Smith, 42, a housewife and former secretary. You have two children: Tom (21), a student, who is only at home during weekends, and Linda (16), who attends grammar school.
Aim:
You are a man who likes to cling to old values and traditions. The father should earn the family’s living, his wife should take care of the household and the children. Your attitude is being polite but firm with slightly chauvinistic tendencies.
Starting point of the conversation: small talk at the breakfast table
A Family of Four: Role card 3 (male)
Situation:
The Smith family is having breakfast together on Sunday morning
Characters:
You are Tom Smith, aged 21, a student, who is only at home during weekends. Your parents are Paul Smith, aged 46, a bank clerk, who is married to Helen Smith, 42, a housewife and former secretary. Your sister Linda Smith, 16, attends grammar school.
Aim:
As a student you only come home at the weekend. Mother takes care of your dirty laundry. You consider yourself to be a dynamic young man with progressive views as long as they do not have negative consequences for your well-being.
Starting point of the conversation: small talk at the breakfast table
A Family of Four: Role card 4 (female)
Situation:
The Smith family is having breakfast together on Sunday morning
Characters:
You are Linda Smith, aged 16, you attend grammar school. Your parents are Paul Smith, aged 46, a bank clerk, who is married to Helen Smith, 42, a housewife and former secretary. Your brother Tom Smith, aged 21, is a student who is only at home during weekends.
Aim:
Presently you are fighting against any authorities, e.g. parents, teachers. You consider traditional role patterns to be old-fashioned. You strongly advocate women’s emancipation, especially your own liberation.
Starting point of the conversation: small talk at the breakfast table