Ancient Rome was a man’s world. Men held the power and financial control in politics, society, and the family. In a family, the oldest living male called the “paterfamilias” was the head. He had absolute power over the household and children. If his children angered him, he had the legal right to disown them, sell them into slavery, or even kill them.
The oldest living woman in a family unit in Ancient Rome was called the “materfamilias”. She was in charge of managing the household, and in the upper classes she assisted her husband’s career in whatever way she could.
To survive in a family in Ancient Rome, it would depend on your gender and age. If you happened to be a man in your senior years, you would have all the possible control over the household and possibly politics and society. If you happened to be a woman in your senior years, you would get to manage the household and influence your husband in various ways. If you were a child, ensure that you obey your parents and do not anger your father, or risk being disowned, or sold into slavery.