Career Orientation—2nd Edition Unit 10: Balancing Family and Career

Objective 1 - Impact of Careers on Families Both parents may work Changing role expectations for family members Relocation and adjustment Career/job satisfaction Time management skills Retraining may be needed Benefits have become increasingly important

Did You Know? The remarkable increase in life expectancy during the 20th century, from 47 to 77 years on average at birth, laid the groundwork for an older society. Average life expectancy in the United States is predicted to rise another 2 years by 2020.

Did You Know? Before the 1950’s, the number of married couples with their own households and the total number of households tended to grow in tandem. Thus about 4 our of 5 households were occupied by married couples in 1910, 1930, and 1950. After 1950, however, nonfamily living arrangements became much more common. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Objective 2 - Single-Parent and Dual-Career Families Dual-Career Challenges Missed family functions Fatigue Changed role expectations Less family time, parents’ time Reliance on service providers Single-Parent Challenges Missed time with children More self-sufficient children Child care services Need for full-time job; generally lower income Reliance on extended family Lack of personal time

Objective 3 - Skills to Balance Family and Career What skills are needed to balance family and career? ? ? ?

Objective 4 – Guidelines for Balancing Family and Career Communication Set priorities Support system Work at it Team spirit Maintain physical health Delegate responsibilities Set Goals Flexibility Sense of humor Budget skills Mutual understanding, support Understand others’ expectations

Unit Review 1. How do careers change role expectations for family members? In what other ways can careers have an impact on families? 2. What are challenges facing single-parent families? Dual-career families?

Unit Review 3. List skills needed to balance family and career. 4. Name at least eight (8) guidelines for balancing family and career. 5. Allowing employees to choose their own hours as long as a certain number of hours are worked per week is called ____________.

Career Orientation—2nd Edition Copyright 2007 Curriculum and Instructional Materials Center, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education Photographs copyright © PhotoDisc, Inc.; Comstock, Inc.