Role theory and social role theory are flexible sociological frameworks that can be used to better understand clients. When applied to young clients like Joe Henry from the film Joe the King, role theory helps social workers and counselors understand the systemic and contextual variables impacting Joe’s identity development, and behavior. Incorporating role theory into social work when counseling clients like Joe will help guide the processes of assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Although not an exclusive, comprehensive, or self-contained theory, role theory nevertheless shows how a person cannot be understood in isolation of cultural, family, and normative variables. Gender, race, class, family background, values, belief systems, and worldviews all impact Joe’s identity development and behavioral outcomes. Without taking into account the importance of social roles in personal and social identity construction, social workers might not be able to overcome their own biases when working with clients like Joe. Similarly, social roles guide solution-focused approaches to counseling.

Experimental research demonstrates the efficacy of social role theory. For example, Koenig & Eagly (2014) found evidence for application of social role theory to account for a “wide range of stereotypes,” (p. 371). Beliefs related to a person’s gender, age, social class status, and other features reinforce stereotypes, and yet stereotypes can be dramatically...

Therefore, social workers and counselors can capitalize on the proven strengths of role theory to help clients in similar positions as Joe. Role theory does not imply that social workers would only focus on role conflict in Joe’s life, or the stereotypes other people project onto Joe. On the contrary, role theory can show how social workers can help Joe to create a better future for himself by envisioning himself in different roles.
The film Joe the King shows how the ability of a person to extricate themselves from a restrictive or unhealthy situation depends on creating and filling new roles and positions. In the film, Joe is presented primarily as the son of an abusive father and a codependent, neglectful mother. He is also presented as the disenfranchised young person in public school, linking labeling theory to social role theory. Because Joe has been labeled as delinquent, he has trouble escaping the biases and beliefs others have towards him. To prevent Joe from blindly following a self-fulfilling prophecy that could lead him towards conforming to the roles established by his dysfunctional parents, a social worker needs to offer Joe alternative options. Joe does not to be in the role of a victim, but as someone who can transform adversity into a source of strength.

Social role theory guides social work practice both with individuals and families. Even when Joe alone is the…