Running Head: WORK-LIFE j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j 1
4-2 Activity: Critical Analysis: Reimagine
IDS 402
SNHU
July 24,2022
WORK-LIFE j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j 2
Maintaining a proper work-life balance is imperative for all professionals, especially
working parents. Factors like high work pressure, technological advancement and globalization
have led to an imbalance in the personal and professional lives of individuals (Pahuja, 2017). The
complexities for working parents get further magnified since they have an extra responsibility
towards their children. Chen has argued that working parents can face immense stress in striking a
balance between their family and work (Chen et al., 2022). It can lead to adverse outcomes such as a
decline in family satisfaction, deteriorated physical and psychological health outcomes and poor
performance at work. The challenge that working mothers may face owing to poor work-life
balance is likely to be higher as compared to working fathers since mothers are considered to be the
primary carers of their children (Moriwaki et al., 2022).
Factors that could impact the wellness topic
A number of factors may come into play and have a significant impact on the wellness topic,
relating to work-life balance among working parents. One of the chief factors that have the potential
to impact society’s engagement with the subject matter is the biased behavior about gender roles.
According to the social role theory, the main role that women are expected to play is that of a
principal caretaker role, and they are expected to take care of routine domestic work. On the other
hand, men are expected to act as the breadwinners of the family (Hentschel et al., 2019). On the basis
of gender stereotyping, if women decide to enter a profession, they are expected to take care of their
family life and their professional lives. The case is no different for working mothers because they
are expected to take care of their responsibilities as a wife, a mother and a professional by striking a
balance between these roles. Such a form of bias increases work-life balance complexities for
working mothers as compared to working fathers.
WORK-LIFE j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j 3
Another factor that might impact the wellness topic is social values. Such values
fundamentally are the key principles that are morally acceptable in society. Values such as
education, individual rights and honesty might influence how people perceive the work-life balance
issue among working parents (Council, 2003). For instance, a person with a limited education
background might fail to understand how adverse work-life balance may impact family life and
relationship with children. j
Potential obstacle that could interfere with working parents’ engagement with the topic
A major obstacle that could arise and interfere with working parents’ engagement with the
work-life balance topic is the unavailability of time. In the prevailing globalized era, the degree of
competition has intensified significantly. Its impact can be felt in the labor market. The high
pressure to survive and sustain in the professional setting has diminished the time that people have
for themselves. Thus, the time factor could act as a major obstacle that could deter working parents
from engaging with the topic and understanding its consequences. Rose has identified time pressure
as a major deterring factor for working parents, especially working mothers (Rose, 2017).
Recommended strategies
The critical analysis of the wellness topic has helped in developing vital skills that can help
in the achievement of both personal and professional goals. Some of the skills include problem-
solving skills and analytical thinking. Such skills can help to address the work-life balance issue by
exploring it in an in-depth manner.
WORK-LIFE j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j j 4
References
Council, N. C. (2003). NICE Citizens Council Report on Age [Internet].
Chen, Q., Chen, M., Lo, C. K. M., Chan, K. L., & Ip, P. (2022). Stress in Balancing Work and Family
among Working Parents in Hong Kong. International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health, 19(9), 5589.
Hentschel, T., Heilman, M. E., & Peus, C. V. (2019). The multiple dimensions of gender
stereotypes: A current look at men’s and women’s characterizations of others and themselves.
Frontiers in psychology, 10, 11.
Moriwaki, M., Yuasa, H., Kakehashi, M., Suzuki, H., & Kobayashi, Y. (2022). Impact of social
support for mothers as caregivers of cerebral palsy children in Japan. Journal of Pediatric
Nursing, 63, e64-e71.
Pahuja, S. (2017). A study on work life balance of working parents in educational sector. Asian
Journal of Management, 8(1), 25-29.
Rose, J. (2017). “Never enough hours in the day”: Employed mothers’ perceptions of time pressure.
Australian Journal of Social Issues, 52(2), 116-130.
