Work-life balance and male lawyers: a socially constructed and dynamic process
ISSN: 0048-3486
Article publication date: 2 May 2019
Issue publication date: 23 May 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to theorize men’s experiences of work-life balance in male-dominated, high-performance industries.
Design/methodology/approach
This study provides an in-depth qualitative study comprising interviews and informal conversations with male lawyers in Canada.
Findings
This study highlights the socially constructed nature of male lawyers’ experiences of work-life balance and the recursive impact of industry, professional and societal expectations and norms.
Research limitations/implications
A relatively small sample size, suggesting the need for further study with a larger and more diverse sample. The study was conducted in Canada – other national contexts may furnish different results.
Practical implications
This study identifies the need for greater awareness of how institutional, professional and societal expectations and norms impact on men’s experiences of work-life balance in male-dominated, high-performance industries.
Social implications
This paper indicates that greater attention needs to be paid to work-life balance among men in male-dominated, high-performance industries.
Originality/value
This paper explores men’s experiences of work-life balance in a male-dominated industry within an interpretivist paradigm.
Keywords
Citation
Boiarintseva, G. and Richardson, J. (2019), "Work-life balance and male lawyers: a socially constructed and dynamic process", Personnel Review, Vol. 48 No. 4, pp. 866-879. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-02-2017-0038
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited