This article reviews the report, “Times Are Changing: Gender and Generation at Work and at Home,” which was released in early April by the Families and Work Institute (FWI).
Newly Released Work Life Report
William McPeck, MSW, Work – Life Certified Professional
Over the past 30+ years, in five year increments, a nationally representative sample of Americans are sampled to assess the trends they are experiencing both at work and at home. Known as the National Study of the Changing Workforce, the data from the 2008 survey has just begun to be released. The first of what will be several reports, “Times Are Changing: Gender and Generation at Work and at Home,” was released in early April by the Families and Work Institute (FWI). This report examines work related gender roles and how they have evolved over the past 30 years.
According to the lead author and FWI President, Ellen Galinsky, the report contains several firsts. They are:
* For the first time, younger men and women reported feeling the same about career advancement
* For the first time, no statistically significant difference was found between how men and women view their gender roles.
With the advantage of 30+ years of accumulated data to review, the following trends were observed:
* Women in dual earner couples are now contributing an average of 44% of the annual family income
* In dual earner couples, 26% of the women reported earning at least 10% more than their spouse or partner, up from 15% in 1997
* Among the respondents under the age of 29, 67% of the men and 66% of the women reported wanting jobs with greater responsibility
* Women with children reported that having children does not deter them from wanting jobs today with more responsibility
* Of the men surveyed in 2008, 42% reported believing that the statement, men should earn the money, while women take care of the home and children. This was down from 74% found in 1977.
* Of the women surveyed in 2008, 80% reported believing that a mother who works outside the home can have just as good a relationship with her children as a mother who does not work.
* All men responding to the survey, on average, indicated they spend 3.0 hours per workday with their children under the age of 13. This is up from 2.0 hours in 1977. Men under the age of 29 reported spending, on average, 4.3 hours per workday with their children under the age of 13.
* In the 2008 survey, 31% of the women respondents stated that their spouse or partner took as much or more responsibility for the care of the children as they did. This was up from 21% in 1992. By comparison, 49% of the men reported that they took as much or more responsibility for the care of the children as their spouse or partner.
* In 2008, 45% of the men responding reported experiencing work-life conflict. This was up from 34% in 1977. Responding women in 2008 reported that 39% of them experienced work-life conflict.
* In dual earner couples, 59% of the men reported in 2008 experiencing work – life conflict, compared to 45% of the responding women.
The 2008 survey results certainly raise some interesting implications for society and HR and work – life professionals. You may download a copy of the report for free from FWI at: http://www.familiesandwork.org
William McPeck, MSW, is currently Director of Employee Health and Safety for Maine State Government. Nationally certified as a Worksite Wellness Program Consultant, Work-Life Professional, Holistic Stress Management Trainer, Wellness Inventory Coach and Retirement Preparation Coach, Bill also serves as a Mentor Coach for the Wellness Team Coaches of Wellness Strategies, LLC a New England based employee wellness consulting firm. Bill’s personal Website is www.williamcmcpeck.com and his work-life blog is www.squidoo.com/worklifeblur
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