Abstract
Policy discussions of the work-life balance normally focus on the need to reconcile the demands of paid employment with family life and, particularly, childcare. The work-life balance so defined is often seen as a women’s issue which can be resolved by providing women with flexible hours of work. It is increasingly evident, however, that the work-life balance is something that concerns men as well as women and that there are men who value flexibility in paid work and want to spend more time with their children (Hatten et al., 2002; EOC, 2003; Guardian, 2/1/03). Indeed this is recognised in the legislation introduced in Britain in April 2003 which improves fathers’ as well as mothers’ rights to request flexibility at work. What the legislation does not do, however, is move away from the assumption that the work-life balance is about balancing paid work and unpaid care work.
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bell, Alice and La Valle, Ivana (2003) Combining self-employment and family life, York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Brannen, Julia, Moss, Peter, Owen, Charlie and Wale, Chris (1998) Mothers, fathers and employment: parents and the labour market in Britain 1984–1994, London: Deoartment for Education and Employment.
Burghes, Louie, Clarke, Linda and Cronin, Natalie (1997) Fathers and fatherhood in Britain. London: Family Policy Studies Centre.
Charles, Nickie and James, Emma (2003a) ‘Gender and work orientations in conditions of job insecurity’ in The British Journal of Sociology, 54(2): 239–57.
Charles, Nickie and James, Emma (2003b) ‘The gender dimensions of job insecurity in a local labour market’ in Work, Employment and Society, 17(3): 531–522.
Charles, Nickie and James, Emma (2005) ‘Perceptions of job insecurity in a retail sector organisation’ in Stewart P. (ed.) Organisational change and emerging patterns of work and employment, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Crompton, Rosemary, Dennett, Jane and Wigfield, Andrea (2003) Organisations, careers and caring, Bristol: The Policy Press.
Dex, Shirley and McCulloch, Andrew (1995) Flexible employment in Britain: a statistical analysis, Manchester: Equal Opportunities Commission.
Drew, Eileen and Emerek, Ruth (1998) ‘Employment, flexibility and gender’ in Drew, E., Emerek, R. and Mahon, E. (eds) Women, work and the family in Europe, pp. 89–99, London and New York: Routledge.
EOC (2003) Equal Opportunities Commission Fathers: balancing work and family, Research Findings, March.
Forth, John, Lissenburgh, Steve, Callender, Clare and Millward, Neil (1997) Familyfriendly working arrangements in Britain, 1996, London: Policy Studies Institute.
Giovannini, Dino (1998) ‘Are fathers changing? Comparing some different images on sharing of childcare and domestic work’ in Drew, E., Emerek, R. and Mahon, E. (eds) (1998) Women, work and the family in Europe, pp. 191–199, London and New York: Routledge.
Guardian newspaper, 2/1/03.
Hatten, Warren, Vinter, Louise and Williams, Rachel (2002) Dads on Dads: needs and expectations at home and at work, Manchester: Equal Opportunities Commission.
Hojgaard, Lise (1998) ‘Workplace culture, family-supportive policies and gender differences’ in Drew, E., Emerek, R. and Mahon, E. (eds) Women, work and the family in Europe, pp. 140–149, London and New York: Routledge.
LaValle, Ivana (2002) Happy families? Atypical work and its influence on family life, York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Lupton, Deborah and Barclay, Lesley (1997) Constructing fatherhood: discourses and experiences, London: Sage.
Morris, Lydia (1990) The workings of the household, Cambridge: Polity.
Neathey, Fiona and Hurstfield, Jennifer (1996) Flexibility in practice: women’s employment and pay in retail and finance, Manchester: Equal Opportunities Commission/Industrial Relations Services.
O’Brien, Margaret and Shemilt, Ian (2003) Working fathers: earning and caring, Manchester: Equal Opportunities Commission.
Stevens, J., Brown, J. and Lee, C. (2004) The second work-life balance study: results from the employees’ survey, Department of Trade and Industry.
Veenis, Els (1998) ‘Working parents: experience from the Netherlands’ in Drew, E., Emerek R. and Mahon, E. (eds) Women, work and the family in Europe, pp. 182–190, London and New York: Routledge.
Wajcman, Judy (1998) Managing like a man, Cambridge: Polity.
Copyright information
© 2005 Nickle Charles and Emma James
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Charles, N., James, E. (2005). Gender, Job Insecurity and the Work-Life Balance. In: Work-Life Balance in the 21st Century. The Future of Work Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230373594_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230373594_9
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-51483-0
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-37359-4
eBook Packages: Palgrave Business & Management CollectionBusiness and Management (R0)