Has Technology Improved or Complicated Your Work-Family Balance?
Judi Casey December 26th, 2008
We recently asked our visitors (11/6–11/21/08) if technology has improved or complicated their work-family balance. I was surprised to learn that 51% of our small sample (N=29) indicated that technology had improved their work-family balance, whereas 41% reported that technology had complicated their work-family balance. Less than 8% indicated no change.
We’ve previously discussed this issue on our blog asking whether technology helps fathers to achieve work-family balance as well as learning about research on how technology impacts our ability to focus and be connected with one another. Recently, I discussed the top trends in work-life and included the blurring of work and family boundaries due to technology.
Technology is also discussed in two Work and Family Encyclopedia Entries, Boundary and Border Theory and Work-Family Integration as well as Historical Perspective on Social Change.
Lastly, Network News interviews explore technology issues such as Slowing Down to Look at “Busyness” and Distracted: The Erosion of Attention, which includes a graphic illustrating how mobile data and communication activities vary by age.
Check out our latest poll on the home page and blog home page!
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I am surprised that people say technology has improved their work-family balance. I, for one, believe that technology has brought with it many modern day problems, not the least among them being family relations getting spoilt and health being affected. What say?
Yes, Syd. Thanks for your comment. It was a little surprising to me too. It can seem like technology may interfere with family interaction and communication. Although some feel that technology can promote connections, and keep families in touch. For example, I have a son in college with a Blackberry. This technology allows us to stay in close touch, and if I need to contact him, I usually get a response within minutes. This is really different than when I was in college, and would speak with my parents once a week on Sunday. So maybe it’s not the technology per se, but whether or not people use it to their advantage or disadvantage? Does it help them stay in touch with one another, or interfere with their ability to connect and have a meaningful relationship?
I am currently doing a study on Satisfaction with Work-Life Balance Program and Organizational Commitment. I’ve been searching for theories on my topic to be used in the Theoretical Framework but having a hard time. I’m so lost and I need your help. Being a guru with work-life balance, what do you think is the best theory to be used for my study? I thought Border Theory from Clarke is okay but I find it difficult to search on his study. Perhaps search engines here in the Philippines doesn’t read much of the valuable sites I need.
I know you’re a busy person but I would really appreciate to hear from you. Thank you very much.