• Role conflict occurs when we are expected to conduct two or more incompatible social roles at the same time.
• For example, working mother has a difficulty to go together as a mother, a wife, and an office worker.
• Other examples: university students, middle-level executives.
• People solve the conflict by managing time, distributing energy effectively, or giving up one role.
• Another role conflict also occurs when fulfilment of the roles of one status may violate the roles of a second status. (e.g. as a member of student union, and as a friend)
• Other examples: When a person take occupations that are not common among people with their ascribed status. (e.g. Male baby-sitter, or female police officer.)