Role Attitudes and Role Play Experiences of Female Breadwinner in Economically Disadvantaged Family
Date Issued
2011
Date
2011
Author(s)
Chiang, Pei-Hua
Abstract
In recent decades, we have witnessed an upward trend of female labor force participation rate, and the number of double income families has increased. However, due to the rising male unemployment rate and female earning ability, more and more women take the role “female breadwinner (FBW)” in a family. The development trend may have impact on the female role experience, the quality of marriage, labor market structure, and family policy. This study intends to examine how women would adjust the new FBW role in economically disadvantaged family in terms of gender role attitude and role taking experience.
This study adopted a qualitative research approach. Seven women were in-depth interview who have been the breadwinner in two-parent families with at least one child aged below 18.
The results showed that these women taking the role of FBW were drived by external and internal forces, including lessening earning ability by their husbands, meeting family anticipation as a daughter-in-law, conforming gender role expectation, concerning children needs as a mother, and fulfilling marriage responsibilities as a wife. Moreover, taking the FBW’s role changed their attitudes toward female role in a family. Three categories of the role types were extracted from the interviews as traditional, changing, and modern styles. And their new FBW role experiences in marital and parental subsystem were shaped by traditional culture and gender norms, However, these women were so busy to work to make the ends met that they did not have time and energy to pursue their personal needs. Based on the findings, suggestions regarding family policy and social work practice were included.
Subjects
female breadwinner (FBW)
gender role attitude
economically disadvantaged
Work-family role system
Type
thesis
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