Be Careful What You Ask For: Structuration Theory and Work/Life Accommodation

Hoffman, Mary F.; Cowan, Renee L.

doi:10.1080/10510971003604026

Cited by 39 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Experiencing particular life events might change an individual's assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of more or less permeable borders. This approach to further investigating the extent to which connotations of work-life balance may be influenced by generational cohort designation versus stages=phases of theories of adult development is supported by the findings of scholars who argue that the meaning of work-life balance is constructed through a complex series of interactions on a variety of levels (Kirby & Krone, 2002;Hoffman & Cowan, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

The Work and Life of Young Professionals: Rationale and Strategy for Balance

Schultz

Hoffman

Fredman

et al. 2012

Qualitative Research Reports in Communication

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

The Work and Life of Young Professionals: Rationale and Strategy for Balance

Schultz

Hoffman

Fredman

et al. 2012

Qualitative Research Reports in Communication

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“…When good working mothers operate as if they should solve problems on their own, the potential to work together for collaborative solutions for the good of the individual, the good of the children and/or the good of organization is removed (see Hoffman & Cowan, 2010).…”

Section: The Good Working Mother Solves Problems On Her Ownmentioning

confidence: 99%

Good Working Mothers as Jugglers: A Critical Look at Two Work–Family Balance Films

Kirby

Riforgiate

Anderson

et al. 2016

Journal of Family Communication

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We examine the portrayals of two good working mothers in popular work-family balance films-Melanie in One Fine Day (1996) and Kate in I Don 't Know How She Does It (2011).Using a critical standpoint, we build on communication work-family/life scholarship to extend theoretical understanding of underlying ideological notions of the good working mother. In particular, we analyze Melanie and Kate's performances that reflect the underlying cultural ideologies of being an ideal worker, a true domestic woman, and an intensive mother. Further, we explicate how this juggling of identities portrays good working mothers as perpetually defensive. We go beyond the analysis of ideologies to lay out some of the consequences of the performance portrayals of the good working mother, in that she should (a) accept While the broadest definition of juggling is to "continuously toss into the air and catch (a number of objects) so as to keep at least one in the air while handling the others," the second most common definition is to "cope with by adroitly balancing, i.e. she works full time, juggling her career with raising children" (Oxford Dictionary, 2015). Indeed, "juggling" language is also used by work-life scholars; as one example, Golden (2001) notes how "multiple role-identities associated with work and family require juggling conflicting demands" (p. 233). Women in particular "juggle responsibilities" as they strive to be good workers and good mothers, also known as good working mothers 1 Turner & Norwood, 2013). Notably, there is no parallel term of a good working father; since discourses of work-family/life issues often reflect gendered role expectations of work and private responsibilities, the personification of "balance" seems more targeted at working mothers, reflecting how work-family/life conflicts are sometimes viewed WORKING MOTHERS AS JUGGLERS 4 as merely a "women's issue" in the workplace (Drago, 2007;Kirby & Buzzanell, 2014).We critically examine how mediated portrayals of the "juggling act" of the good working mother reflect the underlying cultural ideologies of being an ideal worker, a true domestic woman, and an intensive mother. Further, we explicate how this juggling of identities portrays good working mothers as perpetually defensive, laying out how these portrayals to teach women to (a) accept "punishments" from children, (b) conceptualize fathers as secondary parents, (c) solve problems on their own, and (d) choose family over work. Leading in to this critical examination, it important to describe our varied positionalities as people and scholars.Our working relationship began in a five-day work/life course led by the first author at the National Communication Association Institute for Faculty Development. We spent a week immersing ourselves in the work/life literature, watching these work/life films, and discussing ways to integrate this research into our teaching and indeed our lives. From this experience, the five of us decided to work together on a deeper analysis of the films we referenced i...

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“…A great deal of research has sought to identify, test, and codify a series of categories through which individuals seek to influence those in superior positions (Hoffman & Cowan, 2010;Kassing, 2002Kassing, , 2009Kipnis, Schmidt, & Wilkinson, 1980;Olufowote, Miller, & Watson, 2005;Porter, Allen, & Angle, 1981). Some these strategies include appeals to rationality, building coalitions, solution presentation, circumvention, and threatening resignation (Kassing, 2002;Olufowote et al, 2005).…”

Section: Work/life Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although many organizations are offering helpful programs to their employees, these may not be offered to all positions. Specific research on the processes by which individuals achieve work/life balance and the strategies they use to ask for accommodations is needed (Hoffman & Cowan, 2010).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research has shed light on work/life issues, but much of what we know is based on the managerial voice and the voices of middle-class white women (Hoffman & Cowan, 2010;Kirby, Golden, Medved, Jorgenson, & Buzzanell, 2003). To date, the workingclass or "blue-collar" voice has been largely absent from this research, particularly in the area of achieving work/life accommodations.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Acting and Reacting

Bochantin

Cowan

2014

International Journal of Business Communication

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The authors examined blue-collar employees' experiences with work/life. More specifically, the strategies used by skilled and unskilled employees when making work/ life accommodation requests are uncovered and detailed. Using qualitative methods, the authors found that blue-collar employees use both proactive (circumvention, relating, factual appeals, and honesty) and reactive (ultimatums and other-focused appeals) strategies when seeking work/life accommodations. These strategies are discussed as well as practical and theoretical implications.

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Be Careful What You Ask For: Structuration Theory and Work/Life Accommodation

Cited by 39 publications

References 31 publications

The Work and Life of Young Professionals: Rationale and Strategy for Balance

The Work and Life of Young Professionals: Rationale and Strategy for Balance

Good Working Mothers as Jugglers: A Critical Look at Two Work–Family Balance Films

Acting and Reacting

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