The way in which families interact and contribute to social inequality can be viewed from the symbolic interactionist theory, “Which emphasizes the role of symbols and language as core elements of all human interaction” (Giddens et al, p. 18, 2006). When you look at how relationships develop, much of dating and marriage relies on symbols, such as giving your significant other flowers, or proposing with a ring, these are all symbols. There have been major changes in patterns of family life in the United States following World War II: A high percentage of women are in the paid labor force, there are rising rates of divorce, and substantial proportions of the population are either in single-parent households or are living with stepfamilies. Role-taking
