Family time negotiations in the context of non-standard work schedules

Abstract
Present-day parenting is centred round the question of time, especially in the case of working parents. This study analysed negotiations over time in families where one or both parents work non-standard schedules, that is, during evenings, nights and weekends. We asked what aspects of time are negotiable and with whom, and who in the family bears the ultimate responsibility for these negotiations. The analysis was based on interviews with 47 people conducted in 2013 in Finland. The findings indicated that time negotiations within the family concerned everyday routines and schedules, social life and the family's philosophy. Family life and schedules in the context of non-standard schedules were often subject to moralising remarks from others, including close relatives and friends. Parents seemed to have some room to negotiate on the timing of their work schedules with their employers. Men and women differed in the positions they adopted in time negotiations: women took an active 'I' perspective, while men took a more passive spousal perspective. This result shows that traditional gender differences continue to prevail.
Main Authors
Format
Articles Research article
Published
2019
Series
Subjects
Publication in research information system
Publisher
Policy Press
The permanent address of the publication
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-201903271989Use this for linking
Review status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
2046-7435
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1332/204674317X15034163282768
Language
English
Published in
Families, Relationships and Societies
Citation
  • Tammelin, M., Mykkänen, J., Sevón, E., Murtorinne-Lahtinen, M., & Rönkä, A. (2019). Family time negotiations in the context of non-standard work schedules. Families, Relationships and Societies, 8(1), 121-136. https://doi.org/10.1332/204674317X15034163282768
License
In CopyrightOpen Access
Funder(s)
Research Council of Finland
Research Council of Finland
Funding program(s)
Akatemiahanke, SA
Akatemiatutkija, SA
Academy Project, AoF
Academy Research Fellow, AoF
Research Council of Finland
Additional information about funding
This work was funded by the Academy of Finland, grant numbers 251096, 287678 and 277376.
Copyright© Policy Press 2019.

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