Work and Family Structure Functionalism Boundaries Hierarchy o Rigid solid circle father on top with mother child 1 2 below o Semi permeable boundary dashed circle 1 father mother child 2 father mother child other child on outside Assumptions o Family systems are Interdependent Each member influences others o Behavior is purposeful o Systems adapt based on feedback from environment system is always managing balance of stability and change Lack of autonomy control in work setting Work and Family overload spillover Paid work stress Belittlement from superiors Threat of job loss Interpersonal problems Work politics power Correlations Between Income and Health wealth autonomy Social Costs of Low Wages Costs paid by employers for good jobs stress via lack of autonomy breaks down body overtime as income increases health increases direct correlation relationship Costs paid by society tax payers for bad jobs Impact of Economic Downturn Foreclosures Job loss Young adults at home Public benefits usage increase TANF Family tensions depression violence divorce Spike in family murder suicide Overworked Underworked Americans Role centered state of having too many roles with conflicting demands Balancing work family more difficult because people are working longer hours Research Shows College education more hours Without college education fewer hours We spend more time with our children BUT we sacrifice personal time Spillover stressful events in one part of a person s daily life spill over into other parts of life Example 26 of employees in bad mood at home because of work o 28 don t have enough energy for family Gender and Spillover wives in supportive role may buffer husband from further stress men more likely to withdraw from families men work spilling into family more acceptable Care Work Features of Care work Face to face activity of one person meeting another ones needs Children elderly ill disabled husbands and wives illness surgery disability Valued paid little or not at all Doesn t accrue retirement or other benefits Performs critical public function Care work Movement 4 Principles o Breaking the work family boundary o Care work as a public responsibility o Valuing caring labor o Toward an ethic of care Care work and Paid Work Balance Division of housework has become more equal Total amount of housework done by married couples declined How do families manage Use house cleaning service Messier names Women do housework second shift Care work as Public Responsibility public good Cherlin Caring for children and elderly should be recognized as a socially important contribution Workers can accrue retirement benefits only through paid work The Societal Value of Care work with Kids to the State Children are future workers taxpayers o Good childcare fosters optimal child development o They grow up and support the elderly as adults by working Investments in children offer paybacks to us Fund Social Security Families can sustain a higher standard of living Enables both spouses to work Thought Question What would it cost the economy to purchase a comparable substitute
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