Which role typically includes making financial decisions in a family?

The instrumental role in a family typically encompasses the responsibilities associated with providing for the family's material and financial needs. This includes making financial decisions, such as budgeting, managing expenses, and ensuring the family's economic stability. The instrumental role is generally characterized by tasks that are goal-oriented and pragmatically focused on achieving the family's welfare.

In many sociological frameworks, this role is often associated with the primary breadwinner in a traditional family setting, usually aligning with expectations of a male figure, although this can vary significantly in modern family structures. The emphasis on financial decision-making reflects the broader societal norms around the division of labor within families, where one member often takes on the external responsibilities while balancing the family's economic activities. Understanding this role helps illustrate the division of responsibilities and power dynamics within household settings.