Technology: Beneficial or Detrimental to Working Fathers?
Chelsea Lettieri July 9th, 2008
Achieving a work-family balance doesn’t seem as foreign to fathers these days as it once did. Technology advances are giving fathers the freedom to focus on their family life while maintaining their workplace responsibilities…or so it seems.
A recent survey by human resources consulting firm Adecco USA found that 81% of fathers were somewhat likely to send work-related emails late at night. The evolution of technology has allowed fathers to take a more prominent role in the family. Email and devices like blackberries have made it easier for fathers to get their work done at home after the kids have gone to bed.
However, some might argue that all of these technological advancements have caused work to overflow into family life. Countless phone calls, emails, and text messages on blackberries and I-phones can cause unwanted disruptions during family time. In a recent Monster survey, 75% of dads said they believed bringing work home interferes with a parent’s relationship with their children. However, that may be the price some working fathers are willing to pay in order to have the flexibility to cater to family demands.
While some fathers continue to think technology has blessed them with the opportunity to achieve work-family balance, others fear it is doing more harm then good. Do you think the evolution of technology has helped working fathers and their families?
*It is important to note that technology would be more of a solution for middle- and upper-class working fathers, as not everyone has access to advanced technology.
[...] From the new Sloan Research Network Work and Family blog: [...]
Thank you for your thoughtful response! I just wanted to address your comment about just working “dads” being mentioned in this post. As a research-based organization, we bring our audience current, credible and comprehensive information on different work/family issues. The issue of technology applies to all working parents, however, the two studies mentioned in this post only involved “dads” so that is what was discussed. I hope this addresses your concern! We hope you continue to read our blog!
I hear what you’re saying and I know the the researchers associated with Sloan are well aware that fathering is no longer code for breadwinning and mothering is no longer solely synonymous with caregiving; that’s why your blog and the database are so valuable to me. However: isn’t it curious how those categories persist in the way we, even the most progressive people, frame these debates? Speaking as a writer who covers family research, I try very hard (and forget or slip up sometimes) to actively resist or problematize these categories when they appear, especially when covering someone else’s research.
[...] your Blackberry after dinner? What does the 21st century workplace look like? A few resources: 1, [...]
[...] 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 [...]
So Many fathers are taking their work home with them to the detriment of their family. Some believe by ‘Finishing somthing off at home’ is of benifit to the family, however with the distractions that the home environment provides they would have been better finishing it off at the office.