Chapter 9 Work, Marriage, and Family

Chapter Sections 9-1 Effects of Employment on Spouses 9-2 Effects of Employment on Children 9-3 Balancing Work and Family 9-4 Debt

Effects of Employment on Spouses The more money a partner makes, the more power that person has in the relationship. Wives typically make the decisions in more areas of the relationship. In ¼ of marriages, wives earn higher incomes than husbands. Discussion: Why is income related to power in the relationship even if the individuals pool their resources?

Effects of Employment Dual-earner marriage: both husband and wife work outside the home to provide economic support for the family Over 2/3 of marriages involve 2 earners. A stay-at-home parent provides an estimated $50,000 in services. Discussion: Would families with young children be better off if the mother stayed home instead of working?

Effects of Employment Mommy track: stopping paid employment to spend time with young children Opting out: professional women leaving their careers and returning home to care for their children Careers may suffer from opting out. Homemakers tend to be happier than full-time working wives.

Effects of Employment Dual-career marriage: a marriage in which both spouses pursue careers and maintain a life together that may or may not include dependents Dual-career marriages differ based on whose career is emphasized: HIS/her; HER/his; HIS/HER; THEIR career. Discussion: How is a career different from a job? How will the type of dual-career marriage affect the relationship?

Effects of Employment on Children The term “quality time” has become synonymous with good parenting. Planning and executing family activities Heart-to-heart talks with children Spending time with children Discussion: What is quality time? How can parents achieve quality time with their children?

Effects on Children High quality day-care: Produces less stress for children Results in less depression for mothers Is cost effective Is safe Discussion: What would you look for in day-care?

Balancing Work and Family Superperson strategy: involves working as hard and as efficiently as possible to meet the demands of work and family Superwoman (supermom): cultural labels that allow a woman to regard herself as very efficient, bright, and confident Discussion: Is it possible to be supermom? What are the costs of being supermom?

Balancing Women deal with 3 shifts: First shift: work Second shift: house care and child care Third shift: expenditure of emotional energy by a spouse or parent in dealing with various issues in family living Discussion: What kinds of situations create the third shift?

Balancing We balance through: The superperson strategy Cognitive restructuring—viewing a situation in positive terms Delegation of responsibility Limiting commitments Time management Role compartmentalization: separating the roles of work and home

Debt The recession beginning in mid-2008 has resulted in job lay-offs, housing foreclosures, and fear about the financial future. Poverty has increased. Cost of health care is a major cause of poverty.

Debt Poverty: the lack of resources necessary for material well-being Absolute poverty: the lack of resources that leads to hunger and physical deprivation. Relative poverty: a deficiency in material and economic resources compared with some other population

Debt

Debt Poverty is associated with: Poorer physical and mental health Lower personal and marital satisfaction Lower life expectancy Substance abuse, domestic violence, divorce Questionable parenting practices Teen pregnancy

Debt One way to keep from slipping deeper into debt or poverty is to use credit wisely. Credit can be very expensive.

Debt

Debt Installment plan: repayment play whereby you sign a contract to pay for an item with regular payments over an agreed-upon period of time Revolving charge plan: repayment plan whereby you pay the total amount, any amount over the minimum, or the minimum due Open charge: play whereby you agree to pay the amount owed in full within the agreed amount of time

Debt A credit score is based on: Late or non-payments Current debt How long accounts have been opened and established Type of credit Applications for new credit or inquiries

Debt Good credit also involves avoiding identity theft: one person using the Social Security number, address, and bank account numbers of another, posing as the person to make purchases.

Debt Money issues can have serious effects on the couple relationship and family. Discuss debt and money issues often.

Chapter Summary Money is related to power in a relationship. Over 2/3 of U.S. marriages are dual-earner marriages. Dual-career marriages can be stressful. Dual-earner parents struggle with having enough quality time with their children. Day-care situations affect children.

Chapter Summary Parents balance work and family in a variety of ways. Debt and poverty have serious effects on families. Using credit wisely can benefit the family.

Chapter Review How is money related to power in relationships? How are marriages affected when both spouses work? How are children affected when both parents work? How do couples balance work and family? What is poverty? How does it affect families?

Chapter Review How does debt affect families? How can families be wise about credit?