Work and Family Timelines

The Sloan Network is pleased to feature four different timelines that examine the evolution of the work-family field over the decades. These timelines identify key events, experiences, publications, and people that have marked the progress of the work-family area of study.

2002 Work and Family Research Timeline — "A Living Resource"
by Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes

In 2002, the Project Team of the Sloan Network constructed the 2002 Work and Family Timeline. This timeline examined the evolution of the work-family area of study by identifying some of the individuals and publications that have helped to shape key work-family constructs and contributed to the work-family knowledge base. The timeline was on display at the February 7-9, 2002 academic conference, "Persons, Processes and Places: Research on Families, Workplaces and Communities." More...

2003 Analytic Timeline of the Work and Family Area of Study (PDF)

by Christina Matz and Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes

In conjunction with the February 2003 academic conference "From 9-5 to 24/7: How Workplace Changes Impact Families, Work, and Communities" (sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Foundation and the Community, Families & Work Program at Brandeis), the Sloan Work and Family Research Network developed an analytic timeline of the work-family literature from 1960 to 2002.

The 2003 timeline focuses on some of the key publications and "influencers" (both people and ideas) that have marked the growth and development of the work-family area of research, policy, and practice through different analytical lenses/perspectives.

Tracing a Timeline for Work and Family Research in India (PDF)
by Ujvala Rajadhyaksha and Swati Smita

This paper examines four time phases beginning with the period after independence up to mid-2000 in order to trace a timeline for work and family research in the Indian context. As compared to work-family research in Europe and the US that has evolved into a distinct sub-area of cross-disciplinary study, in India it has followed two separate and disconnected paths. One is the route charted out by women’s studies centres with a focus on underprivileged women that looks at structures of patriarchy and their contribution to subordination of women at work and home. The other path of psychosocial research conducted largely from a role theory perspective, has examined work family relations within urban settings. There has been little cross-pollination between these two streams and limited focus on organisational levels of analysis.

Looking Backwards to Go Forward: A Timeline of the Work-Family Field in the United States Since World War II (PDF)
by Bettye H. Pruitt and Rhona Rapoport

This timeline was created as a component of the ongoing project, "Looking Backwards to Go Forward", led by Rhona Rapoport and funded by the Ford Foundation. It is an excellent resource that highlights both research and advocacy on issues related to the intersection of work and family as well as issues of equity. The timeline maps the evolution of the work-family field from 1944 to 2002. The authors looked at:

1. The Cultural Context: popular publications on work-family issues, women in the workplace, and gender roles; demographics, politics, and economics;
2. The Work-Family Field: research and advocacy on work-family issues, women in the workplace, gender roles; and
3. Impacts: legislation and workplace changes.
   
   Companion essay (PDF)

Sloan Network Papers

The Sloan Work and Family Research Network is pleased to present these papers and resources, which were produced as a part of the Network's initiatives or special projects.

The Measurement of Work-Family Tension: Recommendations of a Virtual Think Tank (1999) (PDF)

By Shelley MacDermid, Shelley, Rosalind Barnett, Faye Crosby, Jeffrey Greenhaus, Stephen Marks, Maureen Perry-Jenkins, Patricia Voydanoff, Elaine Wethington & Laura Sabbatini-Bunch

In 1999, the Sloan Network convened the first multi-discipline panel, or Virtual Think Tank, to discuss the current state of measurement of work-family tension. In this report, the panel proposes about 50 specific items, mostly selected or adapted from existing measures, to operationalize the recommendations of the panel.

Stones unturned: Responses to the 2001 Online Survey of the Work and Family Area of Study (2002) (PDF)

By Marcie Pitt Catsouphes

In November 2001, the Sloan Work and Family Research Network invited Network academics interested in work-family scholarship to respond to an electronic survey. This paper provides a summary of the 2001 Online Survey of the Work and Family Area of study as well as a description of respondents' comments and recommendations.

Resource guide to global work and family issues (2000) (PDF)

By Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes

The Resource Guide was developed to help facilitate cross-national dialogue about work and family issues by providing basic information and resources.