Wilton, Nick and Purcell, Kate. (2010) The impact of partnership and family-building on the early careers of female graduates in the UK. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, Vol.29 (No.3). pp. 271-288. ISSN 2040-7149

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline the impact of partnership and family-building on the aspirations, expectations and orientations to work of a sample of highly qualified women working across a range of industry sectors. Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws on both qualitative and quantitative data collected in a longitudinal study of the early careers of UK graduates, incorporating both a large-scale questionnaire survey and detailed interviews with a sample of respondents. Findings – This paper highlights the persistence of gender asymmetries in both employment and domestic partnership and shows the complex decision-making process which determines career prioritization among equally highly qualified partners. It also provides evidence of change in the values, priorities and orientations to work and the work-life balance of UK graduates as they progress through early career development. Practical implications – The extent to which highly qualified women use (and are sometimes precipitated by circumstances into using) the life stage associated with stable partnership formation and family-building to reassess values and priorities has implications for both policymakers and employers. In particular, employers need to take account of changing orientations in work and life stage in formulating effective recruitment and retention strategies for high-qualified workers. Originality/value – This paper provides new data on how dual-career partnerships negotiate the transition from, in career terms, single entities into dyads and the dynamics of gender role change and stability.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Institute for Employment Research
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Women college graduates -- Great Britain, Dual-career families -- Great Britain, Equal pay for equal work -- Great Britain, Work and family -- Great Britain, Work-life balance -- Great Britain, Career development, Sex role
Journal or Publication Title:	Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:	2040-7149
Date:	2010
Volume:	Vol.29
Number:	No.3
Page Range:	pp. 271-288
Identification Number:	10.1108/02610151011028868
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/37546

Request changes to a record

Actions (login required)

View Item