The paper briefly outlines some of the factors which influence the differentiation of leadership roles in the nuclear family, such that it may or may not occur, and that it may or may not occur along lines of sexual identity. Three general categories of factors are discussed: (1) the impact of individual differences in the family members; (2) the effect of differences in family composition and membership; and (3) the influence of variations in situation, context and manner of assessment of the families. The published critiques are viewed as not invalidating the differentiation concepts of Parsons and Bales, but rather as demonstrating their richness and complexity. Some empirical questions are presented which are posed by the theory and subsequent research. (Author/TL)