Overview

We've come a long way since the classic book The Organization Man first introduced the "ideal" 2-person career -- a full-time male breadwinner and a stay-at-home wife. What typified the '50s good life is in stark contrast to contemporary reality: 63% of all married women with children under six years old are in the workforce and 40% of all workers are part of a dual-earner couple.Work and the Family -- Allies or Enemies? offers a fresh new tens for viewing the real struggles young, career-minded professionals -- particularly women -- face in their daily battle to find ways of "getting a life" and "having it all". Based on a pioneering study that followed more than 800 business professionals through the early years of their careers and family building, this volume wilt help readers begin to make sense of the conflicting variables of gender, professional culture, social expectations, and the evolving roles of men and women in creating an integrated life. In this rich, inspiring, and at times disturbing look at how gender affects the lives of men and women trying to manage the complexities of modern living, the authors demonstrate why it is critical not only to acquire time management skills, but also to learn how to manage the boundaries between the spheres of work and family, to handle ambiguity, to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and to build networks of support at work and in the community.Here then is a prescription for success that requires that all parties -- individuals, employers, and society -- clarify what is important, recognize and support the whole person, and continually experiment with new ways to achieve meaningful goals.