Dissertation: A spouse has a genuine impact on his or her partner's career
12.12.2012
According to a doctoral dissertation by Marja Känsälä, a dual career couple's careers support each other, but pose challenges in daily life.
In her dissertation, Marja Känsälä, Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration, studied how dual career couples reconcile work and life. In the case of a dual career couple, both spouses have a demanding career. Since they are often key employees, successful reconciliation of their demanding work and private life is important to their employers. Particularly in the case of experts, managers and self-employed persons, the work-life divide is often blurred.
Känsälä's dissertation examines the division of housework, child care and free time, as well as the meaning and support each spouse provides for the other's career.
Equality does not necessarily mean an equal division of work
For her study, Känsälä interviewed 10 couples separately and together. In terms of the reconciliation of careers, the harmonious attitude of the couple was emphasised. For example, the division of housework was considered absolutely necessary when both spouses have a demanding job.
- However, equality does not necessarily mean a totally equal division of housework, but, for example, a relatively equal division of work compared to other couples. Couples seek equality through negotiations, although these may give rise to conflicts during interaction, Känsälä explains.
Furthermore, traditional gender roles guide the division of work between couples.
- In discourse on housework, child care and free time, the role of the female spouse as a coordinator was accentuated. Having the main responsibility also means holding power.
For the female spouse, a more equal division of out-of-work responsibilities meant less overload and also a partial release from these responsibilities. For the male spouse, this meant gaining more influence and responsibility.
Prioritisation of paid work is emphasised
Spouses in dual career couples regard their independent careers and separate leisure activities as important. On the other hand, they also appreciate shared free time and the fact that their careers were mutually supportive.
- The prioritisation of paid work over other domains of life is emphasised. For example, lack of time is accepted because work is considered important, both for oneself and one's spouse.
Couples regard their relationships as an important resource in their careers, which protects them from the pressures of working life. A spouse is rarely seen as having a negative impact on one's career. Instead, restrictions stem from working life practices which, for example, may limit the couple's possibilities to work in the same sector.
The possible fields of application of Känsälä's research are related to wellbeing at work and life management. Dual career couples are also able to share their experiences of work-life interaction in more general terms.
- Workplace practices supporting the work-life balance should be targeted at both spouses, since work-life challenges affect both. One's spouse is a factor with a genuine impact on the other's career. Any decisions taken in this respect do not merely concern individual careers, but the reconciliation of two careers, Känsälä points out.
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Marja Känsälä defended her doctoral dissertation in Management and Organisation on 30th August, 2012.
Custodian: Academy Professor Anne Kovalainen
Opponent: Professor Iiris Aaltio from Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics.
>> Read the dissertation (English summary from page 253)
Contact information: mob. +358 50 356 6322, email marja.kansala(a)utu.fi