The Balance between Work and Family - Coursework Example

Sociology research topic al Affiliation) Balance between work and family The current situations that have occurred in linking the relationship that one has in place of work and that in the family led to this research on the factors that causes difficulty in linking the practices and measures that can be taken to improve the balancing. Introduction Work and family in life of an individual is essential as they are both central in the life of the individual. This makes finding the balance between the two much essential for men, women and employees. In the research, there is focus on the factors that are to be considered in balance between the lives that one lives and balancing the life with the activities that occur in the person’s workplace. In attempts to manage the two sides of operation, there are conflicts that occur. Time is a major consideration in management (Drago, 2007). The conflicts include Work-family conflicts which occur when the activities that are carried out in place of work interferes with the normal operation of the family of an individual. Family-work conflicts also are a factor that is contributed to in a situation that activities and relationship in a family interferes with work of an individual. The factors that are to be brought out in the research aims in improving the relationship that one has in the family and that in his family (Drago, 2007). Management of family life and work life has brought out the fact that it is important that one spends some time with a spouse or those that have children have enough time with their children. Management of stress and many complex family issues have been a problem to many workers (Drago, 2007). The stress that is experienced in this aspect is obtained from two main sources, role strains and spillovers. Literature review Management of time that is spent in the workplace and that at home is a major factor in making sure that responsibilities in both the family and roles in the workplace are attained. Work and family in life of an individual is essential as they are both central in the life of an individual. This makes finding the balance between the two much essential for everyone that is in the family and in workplaces; men, women and employees. The factors that are considered in difficulties that occur in management of families and at the same time balancing the work situations takes the form of time and conflicts that occur due to tension between roles that are played and individual conflicts. Time conflicts comes about when the demands forced by different responsibilities and roles make time management hard. The time spent accomplishment one task makes a person unavailable to dedicate time to perform another role. Moreover, the worries linked to one role can touch a person’s readiness to perform tasks that are linked to another role, even if the person is physically availability. Conflict due to pressure between responsibilities results when stress produced while carrying out one role affects the technique a person achieves the demands of other roles that the same person is exposed. Values that are displayed in a family and at places of work guides the results of life experiences. Classification of values that one has is a factor that is important in managing demands at work and in the family (Young, 2012). This is a technique that can be used in making sure that there is improvement in relationship that one has at work and in the family. In time conflict, there is also consideration of other minor conflicts that occur in it. Work-family conflict and family-work conflicts are the main conflicts experienced in the balancing. Work-family conflicts occur when the activities that are carried out in place of work interferes with the normal operation of the family of an individual (Young, 2012). Family-work conflicts also are a factor that is contributed to in a situation that activities and relationship in a family interferes with work of an individual. In a research that was carried out in the two conflicts indicated that there is much work-family conflict than family work conflicts. Majority of workers do not always allow the family life, roles and responsibility to interfere with their work. Professional responsibilities hence are main factor that interferes with a family life. There are other definitions that have been given to the relationship. There is notion of equality or near-equality in this aspect. This is brought out through the traditional view that was on the roles that was played by different genders in the family. There is implication that there is a high level of satisfaction health and effectiveness across the multiple roles. The implication also is that evenhanded lack of alertness in different roles. To draw an analogy from everyday life, a measuring scale is balanced when there are equal weights on both sides of the fulcrum, whether the weights are similarly weighty or equally bright. Management of stress and many complex family issues have been a problem to many workers. The stress that is experienced in this aspect is obtained from two main sources, role strains and spillovers (Merrill & Merrill, 2003). Role strain occurs in the situation where the responsibilities that one has interference with performing other roles. Spillover is a condition in which conditions and relationships in one area of one’s life interferes with performing other roles and affects the other areas. Conditions that are likely to cause these effects are long working hours, overbearing supervisions in the work places and negative working environments. Family concerns that are able to affect one include inequality in division of housework, partner that is unsupportive, healthcare problems and changing child healthcare management. Theory There are theories that can be developed in consideration of the relationship between work and family. that each role that is played by an individual presents an additional opportunities that the person is exposed to obtain the benefits it can be theorized that stress that one has in the family and the at work affect each other such that the stress that one has in the family can lead to interference with the normal activities of an individual in place of work. The stress that one has in office also can be transformed to activities at home (Merrill & Merrill, 2003). A theory that can be stated from the study is that hypothesis that was developed for the study and according to the research, it can be brought out that an individual possess amount of energy and time which must be well balanced betweenwork and family Discussion Work family balances is a factor is much related to the hypothesis that was developed for the study and according to the research, it can be brought out that an individual possess amount of energy and time which must be well balanced between work and family. Another hypothesis that is confirmed in the study is that each role that is played by an individual presents additional opportunities that the person is exposed to obtain the benefits. There are advantages that are associated to balancing the family responsibilities and professional responsibilities. The advantages include the possibility of delegating tasks that are less stimulating, financial resources, improved self-esteem, opportunities for social engagement and challenges. Transformation that occurred such that a transition has occurred making women move from the private to public sectors have changed the responsibilities that were on men as the provider and that women were to be devoted to family matters. The traditional approach of balance between work and family has been disapproved through the research (Long, 2007). Men and women in the current situation have been able to share responsibilities that occur in the house and families since paid work of women have enabled the maintain purchasing power of households. Women also through the earnings have been allowed to acquire a measure of financial independence and professional fulfillment. There are factors that were determined through the research to be fundamental in balancing work and family life. If one is employed in part time or full time, the individual is able to have a few money problems and live a higher standard of life through proper management of time with the family and that which is spent in work areas. The management can also be through feeling pleased of making a contribution to the family and have more self-esteem. Having friends and other social life outside the family is also essential in ensuring that there is proper balancing of social, family and professional life (Long, 2007). The research that was carried out brought out the fact that there have been eagerness in may parent in trying to get more flexible job as they think that having more time with the family is much important. Management of family life and work life has brought out the fact that it is important that one spends some time with a spouse or those that have children have enough time with their children. Suggestions that can be given to manage this conditions include coming home relaxed, coming earlier to eat with the children, doing something together and enjoying the bedtime routine together. In measurement of family and work relationship, consideration that was made on researchers brings out that Researchers have utilized several different methods to operationally describe work–family balance, role balance, or work-life balance. In a given example, some studies have measured reaction that an individual has to an indefinite level of balance. The factors that were brought out in this aspect are the feeling that an individual has in ability to balance a job that is well paying the life that his family life. The research also considered satisfaction that comes with the balance of items through asking those that were involved in the study whether they feel dissatisfied or satisfied with the balance that occurs between their jobs, the family life and home life. Values that are displayed in a family and at places of work guides the results of life experiences. Classification of values that one has is a factor that is important in managing demands at work and in the family (Gerson, 2010). Individuals are aware of the values that they possess but sometimes, there is no practice in the values until there is exposure in new roles or when there is conflict in responsibilities that are to be performed. Setting realistic goals and expectations is a factor that is to be considered in balancing the life at work and at home. Goals are important in this aspect as it will guide the time of an individual, both at home and at the workplace (Gerson, 2010). Perceptions, expectations and attitudes also are important in understanding the relation that one has in different places. Setting priorities and managing time is also a factor that allows balancing between work and family issues. Setting priorities is main element in time management (Gerson, 2010). Managing work and a household, getting time to spend with the family and carry out activities and friendships, and having time just for ones self is no easy task with multiple responsibilities and roles. Conclusion The conflicts include Work-family conflicts which occur when the activities that are carried out in place of work interferes with the normal operation of the family of an individual. Family-work conflicts also are a factor that is contributed to in a situation that activities and relationship in a family interferes with work of an individual. The factors that are considered in difficulties that occur in management of families and at the same time balancing the work situations takes the form of time and conflicts that occur due to tension between roles that are played and individual conflicts. Time conflicts comes about when the demands forced by different responsibilities and roles make time management hard. Planning and communication in families is also important in making balance occur in workplaces and families leading to reduction in related stress. Techniques that cab used in this aspect include what one is able to control and that which one is not able to control, holding family meetings, revising plans that one has for the family and that in the workplace, keeping a sense of humor and putting g into consideration that effective management is not a static event but an activity that is continuous. References Drago, R. (2007). Striking a balance. Boston, Mass.: Dollars & Sense. Gerson, K. (2010). The unfinished revolution. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Long, L. (2007). The parents guide to family-friendly work. Franklin Lakes, N.J.: Career Press. Merrill, A., & Merrill, R. (2003). Life matters. New York: McGraw Hill. Young, M. (2012). Work and family. Detroit, MI: Greenhaven Press. Read More