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Work-Life Balance: Exploring the Myths and Realities of Family, Home, Work, and Life Pressures for Early Career Academics

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Early Career Academics in New Zealand: Challenges and Prospects in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

The concept of work-life balance in academia has been well studied, but definitions are contested and the ability to ever actually achieve such balance is disputed. This chapter unravels some of the myths around ‘work-life balance’ in academia by looking into the family and household demographics of early career academics, and asks about their ability to live fulfilled lives at work and at home. It concludes that work-life balance is experienced differently by men and women, and that universities need to work harder on removing structural obstacles, pressures, and unrealistic expectations that make it difficult for early career academics to meet their obligations and fulfil their aspirations.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    An excellent recent literature summary on the work-life balance in academia is provided by Ren and Caudle (2016).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    Kathryn A. Sutherland

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  1. Kathryn A. Sutherland
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Sutherland, K.A. (2018). Work-Life Balance: Exploring the Myths and Realities of Family, Home, Work, and Life Pressures for Early Career Academics. In: Early Career Academics in New Zealand: Challenges and Prospects in Comparative Perspective. The Changing Academy – The Changing Academic Profession in International Comparative Perspective, vol 20. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61830-2_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61830-2_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-61829-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-61830-2

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