Working Practices - Essay Example

?Introduction The traditional concepts of work included timelines which one had to work with as well as set agendas which were required to be achieved each day. This was combined with expectations and alternative structures which were associated with work and the associations with family life. However, contemporary society has altered the structure with the home life and the familial relationships and duties. Even though this has altered, the work pressures have not changed and are often more demanding than before. This is causing pressure with many people in the family life and often becomes reflected in the work pressures that are inside the home. Understanding specific changes and developments which can occur with the work structure and associations with family life is one which also can provide a different approach to the organizational structure and the way in which work can determine needs for family and social structure. This research paper will examine working practices and how these need to alter in contemporary society to begin changing the relationship with family life and contemporary demands which are in society. Defining Traditional Work Structures The traditional work structure is one which was based on single individuals in the household being solely responsible for the income and approaches toward family life. The male figure was primarily responsible for going into the work field and remaining for an average of eight hours per day. This would bring enough income into the home for the family. The wife was primarily responsible for caring for children and assisting with the ideologies in terms of caring for household needs. This traditional balance was followed with time frames which were based on individuals leaving and coming to the home at specific times to make it more convenient for the family structure and to ensure that there was a sense of balance within the household. The conventional role was expected to assist with the basic needs with monetary alternatives for the family while allowing every individual to combine with the traditional work structures required (Mizell, 2007: 48). The traditional viewpoints of work structures were based on the industrial age and factory work which was required through various corporations. This began to change in the late 1970s with the movement into the information age and the growth of corporations into global entities. This continued with new technologies and alternative structures that began to alter the demands and needs for work as well as family life. The combination of work structures also led to changes with the family expectations as economic demands began to grow. This was specific to needing more than one income in the household to raise a family and to assist with the growing prices within the community. This combined with social alterations, such as the breaking of gender boundaries in which women also became interested in working in the community. The development that was associated with this then led to a different meaning of work and how it contributed to the livelihood of the household. This was further combined with the life roles which one held and the movement into family navigation and supportive family systems. This development then led into a different approach to the demands, work structure and interface between work and family life (Schultheiss, 2006: 334). Contemporary Changes to Working Life The changes which have been made around contemporary work life are not only based on the evolution of working demands and expectations. There are also specific applications to the family life and the expectations within the global economy. In traditional structures, there was a limit to when individuals worked and expectations which one had while working. However, the contemporary movements have led to flexible working schedules and demands to have open schedules based on 24/7 openings. Flexibility, multitasking, high – commitment to teams and expectations with the activities which are available are some of the many strategies which are now used because of the economic and social development which is within the work force. Organizational structures have equated this to lean organizations, specifically which is developed with using fewer employees while having longer working hours to move with the changes in employment. Individuals are no longer looking at one organization for a longer period of time, with quick turn – around times between jobs as well as noted breaks with the social bonds between organizations and individuals. Instead of reliability with single employees there is a basis on continuous movement and fluctuation within each of the employment regions (Crompton, 2007: 81). The change which has been made within contemporary society has furthered not only with the strategies for organizations and the movement which is created within an organization. There is also an association with the defining of what work means to individuals as well as families. In the past, the work force was based on the industrial ideologies and what could be done in terms of having the correct wages. Today, there is an alteration to what a person can do and the talents which they have developed within society. The concept of job satisfaction has altered into one which is based on each individual having a space in which they can show which tasks they are supposed to do and what becomes important and effective in terms of job satisfaction. The idea of meaningful work, development of rewards and the ability to contribute something to a company as well as to individual development becomes more important than the wages and the concept of work. The change which this creates with family life causes many individuals to work for longer hours of time and develops an individual interest which takes priority over the expectations of a company and the commitment which one may have had before. The result with contemporary job opportunities then becomes reliant on expectations with organizational work forces as well as responses from individual employees from the social establishment which has taken place in modern ideologies (Wilson, 2010: 65). The contemporary changes within society are furthered by values which occur both economically and socially. The values are based on types of production which are now used, economic activity that is geared toward profit, means of production, working for wages, and sales of the transactions which are created. The focus of the businesses has led to cultural changes in terms of gaining economic status and experiences of modernity that are associated with this. There are many families that are now uncertain about the future because of economic fluctuations and alterations which have been made in society. The ideas of self – development and well – being are primary concerns which are related to the corporate agendas based on the production that is required. The changes in values with contemporary work initiatives are then based and developed specifically on the need to transform and develop an experience that is more certain and which carries the sense of social change which is required. The concept which is associated with the social and economic changes is now referred to as capitalist modernity based on social engineering associated with economics, monetary means and the association which this has among families (Abercrombie, Warde, 2001: 5). Sociology and Work Structures A concept which is essential in understanding contemporary work structures is based on the sociological movements which are associated with ideas of work and family. There are patterns which are established with the work demands created for different individuals. This is followed by specific sociological demands which come from various individuals, specifically because of the family life that is centered on groups of people. The concept of work and structures is based on holding a specific identity within others that are associated with a culture. This is combined with finding opportunities which allow one to hold and develop their own identity while finding meaning within the work options that are available. This is combined with preferences that come from the social identity. Gender relationships to work, psychological and emotional responses to given corporations and within the work environment as well as the way in which this balances with family life all become essential with the work structures that are developed. Before an individual goes into a work environment, the belief systems about identity and how one associates with their identity becomes important. This development then creates a different approach to the work environment and the family life which is linked to the timing which one works in (Watson, 2006: 74). The concept of identity and the sociology which links to this is furthered with the social hierarchy that is established in society. The current hierarchy is based on how one identifies themselves, specifically in terms of material wealth and the descriptions which are a part of their lifestyle. This is based on one identifying what they do for a living and the social class that is associated with the job and functions which they hold. The idea of the job description which one has is then related to the economic class which one is a part of as well as the fulfillment one receives with the jobs that they are able to do within society. Marginalizing classes within the social structure then relates specifically to the work which one is a part of. More important, the way that one relates to a family and the degree to well – being which one has toward the family becomes associated directly with the identity of one’s work. The image which is perceived is based on how the economics of living relate directly to the social class as well as the relationships which are taken with cultural associations in society. The link to family, sociology and work then becomes based on the sense of identity which one has toward a job as well as how this relates to the lifestyle which one lives in (Strangleman, 2008: 15). The social class relationship to work structures is not only furthered on the identity and groups of individuals established through their job and career. Other sociological relationships are developed through those that do not have the same status and prestige through the working career which they hold. Individuals and families which do not have the same amount of income and are required to work at different hours and shifts also have a specific sociological identity that is relayed throughout society. This is based on being a part of the working class as well as one which does not have the same prestige and status as others. This particular inequality is one which further develops boundaries not only within the working associations and sociological order. Different economic structures of individuals also change where families live and the expectations which are developed in every area. The well – being of the family through the economic structure then becomes a sociological concern which continues to relate to the work structure. The result is a question of social inequalities and how this affects both family and working environments (Booth, 2008: 38). Work and Family Complexities The complexities which come from work and family structure begin with the economic dependence and the identity which is associated with sociological developments. These combine with the work structures that are expected and the changing roles into globalization that is developing more demands on those that are working within society. The work – family culture is influenced directly by the complexities which are growing from the expectations and the sociological definitions which are currently a part of society. According to a recent study (Major et al, 2007), there is a direct correlation with the family structure and the culture which is within the work place. There is also a multilevel model which is suggested in terms of the family and work complexities. The cultural and workplace relationships which are created develop different types of interferences or support with the family. If there is a strong support system, team work and other applications, than there is also a positive response from family support and work development from individuals. However, if the environment and culture is not as constructive to the various needs, then the work interference becomes a hindrance with the identity with the individual toward society and the family. The multilevel model suggests that there is a direct correlation with the environment in the work space and the interrelationships which are associated with individuals, family and society (Major et al, 2007: 881). The work – family interface which has occurred within society and the associations with this have led to controversies and challenges in how one responds and works within the given structures while balancing out the family components. The complexity is one which moves into the sociological relationships, economic structure and the ideas of capitalist modernity that are the main focus of many in society. This is furthered with challenges that are occurring based on what many refer to as a transition into modern work methods. The alterations in work structures and new demands based on reaching a profit within society are associated with this. This is combined with different complexities in terms of the individual identity, sociological pressures and the expectations with work that are associated with how one works in society. The associations which are created then develop into different understandings and challenges with how one should relate to both the family and the work space. Creating different priorities with both and overcoming the challenges of what should be more important because of the various structures then leads to complexities in balancing both work and family while creating the right set of values that can be used in both (Heraty, Morley, Clevland, 2008: 209). Another challenge which is based on the family structure with work comes with the expectations with children. The mothers that work along with fathers as well as the activities which are expected are leading to gaps in the family that are associated with those that are working. The conflict is one which is first associated with gender gaps in which women are no longer taking the traditional roles of housewives and are having problems in terms of the concepts and transformations of being within the work field. As both mothers and fathers work, there is the inability for children to receive the right amount of attention while causing the economic structure of the household to change. Children are now becoming more involved in activities or are expected to stay under the care of another individual while parents are at work. The complexity is based on children not receiving the right amount of attention or development from parents while conflicts with the work family relationship continue to evolve while parents are unable to provide the necessary attention to children who are progressing in a certain manner (Bianchi, 2010: 83). Changing Family Patterns with Work A specific issue which is leading to the complexities with family patterns and the work area is based on changes in family relationships which are occurring because of work. The social identity which is now prevailing in society is based on having the approach of carrying an identity which is associated with work. This is combined with one moving faster in their career and moving forward in a way that is able to change the approach which one has to working. This is furthered with the work environment that enhances working more and building an identity within the career field. This particular concept then leads to longer working hours, stronger commitment to the working field and an environment within the organization that places more demands on individuals that desire to achieve more within the working area. However, this particular identity is one which also leads to several compromising the family and the health and well – being which is required. The standards and development for identity are then based on the need to have a career first before approaching the family relationships and other associations with those that are in society. The conflicts which arise within the family are then developed because of the changing sociological identity and the demands within the contemporary working environment (Ng, 2008: 52). The problem which occurs with the working environment and social expectations is one which is now leading to more problems within families and expectations which are held. Economic factors are becoming a central concern for those who are having difficulties in relationships and which are not able to build and develop the correct factors in terms of working and balancing family life. The complexities include imbalances in the family, the need to have more monetary resources while working hours increase and less time for family affairs which one has when they are working. Each of these proponents is leading to the family functioning becoming imbalanced with men and women as well as children not having specific family needs being met. As cultural specific considerations are not met in terms of identity with the career which one holds are family relationships which continue to develop in terms of economic conflict and tensions that are associated with the members of the family not holding the right approach to the cultural affiliations (Goldenberg, 2008: 73). An important aspect that is associated with family expectations, sociological affiliations and work demands comes with the changing roles of activities within the home based on social status. The social hierarchy creates a different level of expectations with how much a family should work and what the relationship should be to the family. This is furthered with the boundaries which are created in terms of the work to family relationships as well as work demands that are related to the economic structure. A family which does not have as much income coming from both parents often are expected to work longer hours and compromise the family activities for the work structure. However, those who have higher income also relate to expectations within the job that is based on identity, leading to the same longer working hours. The relationship that the work structure creates with the family is then developed specifically with the inability to have the needed relationships in the home while the economic and sociological strains continue to identify the working hours and the growing demands within work. The relationships which are intertwined with this then develop different relationships to the individual, work and family outcomes that are created, despite the social and economic status which one holds (Voydanoff, 2004: 398). The Future of Work The different approaches which are now associated with the field of work and the approaches taken with families is one which also requires rethinking the way in which the work environment and families build relationships. The question which is arising is based on the dichotomy between families and the working requirements which are now associated with businesses. The movement into the global environment as well as the demand to have work as a priority among sociological demands as a part of identity is leading to more options for work. This is combined with the expectations that are placed on the modern capitalist society that is expected to continue to increase and place more demands on those in the working field. This particular approach is one which is building trends that place more demands within the work sector while causing the family to become segmented and altered because of these specific demands. The future for work, if not changing the increases in growth and demand, then requires changes in the amount of flexibility while working within the family structure to begin changing the way in which one is directed and moving to working in a global environment (Williams, 2007: 15). The growth of demands which are a part of the capitalist structure lead to questions of how the family life will be altered if there isn’t a change in the organizational structure. The family life now is continuing to experience different problems and associations that are not constructive for the needs of those who are in the work space. The ideas which are now associated with the family and work require movements in terms of flexibility and the ability to provide more resources for families that are continuing to work. The flexibility is based on altering the level of demands that are a part of organizations while opening more time and room for families that are associated with corporations and organizations. This is followed by noting that the economy is now more formal, as opposed to being informal. This means that there also needs to be a change in the social structure toward economic means by providing more opportunities and flexibility with those who are working in the field. By doing this, there is the ability to create and develop more opportunities with activities and positions within organizations. At the same time, there is the ability to create and develop different economic structures and organization that match with the needs of families that are working in a modern association with various fields of work (Williams, 2007: 72). Conclusion The concept of work and family relationships is one which is becoming complex because of the changing work environment. The growing demands from corporations are based on the need to have more resources and tools while developing into global structures. This is based on the movement into the information age as well as the development of tools which are leading to capitalist growth throughout the world. While this particular aspect of the corporations is continuing to develop, sociological pressures are also applied to individuals. This is based on the identity which one holds in terms of their job and the relationship which this creates to the work relationship which one holds. While these two factors are developing more pressure for working, the family relationships are becoming hindered with setting time for family needs. Economic strains and individual pressure are leading to gaps within the family while not providing the needed time for families to meet the needed obligations. This is developing more complexities with how one associates with the work and family environment. The question which arises is based on how this can transition into a work and family relationship which is healthier and offers complete well – being to both the family and working environment. References Abercrombie, Nicholas, Alan Warde. 2001. Contemporary British Society. UK: Cambridge University Press. Bianchi, SM. 2010. “Work and Family Research in the First Decade of the 21st Century.” Journal of Marriage and Family 73 (4). 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