Role Playing

I've been intrigued for the last few years at the idea of roles. Every one of us has roles that we inherently need or at least desire to be filled in our lives, whether we realize it or not (more often than not we don't).

There's a great deal I'd like to write about on this subject int he future, much of which can appear disheartening or cruel, but it really isn't.

Anyway, I'm here to request feedback from you, the people. I'm hoping to gain some insight from your answers as to what these roles are really about, and why some alter or misuse these roles.

1. What is the role(s) platonic friends of the opposite sex offer one another (male to female, female to male)?
2. What is the role(s) platonic friends of the same sex offer one another (male to male, female to female)?
3. What is the role(s) of a sexual (or non-platonic) partner (male to female, female to male, male to male, female to female)?
   
4. What is the role(s) family members of the opposite sex offer one another?
5. What is the role(s) family members of the same sex offer one another?
6. What is the role(s) of a mother to her child(to male, to female)?
7. What is the role(s) of a father to his child(to male, to female)?

I have my own thoughts and answers to these questions, but I understand that because of anyone's individual experiences, thoroughness and objectivity are hard to come by.

If you choose to answer, please try to distance yourself from the questions and as much as possible give broad, universal answers that are for the most-part not contingent on age, race, or economic status. Also I am looking for the distinguishing roles that are acquired almost exclusively from the group related to the question, not every single role they possess.

You can either leave comments on this blog or e-mail me at steve@causenfx.org.

Thanks y'all.