Men's New Attitudes About Work

Work/life balance isn't just for mothers anymore.

Curt Rosengren over at The Occupational Adventure blog recently wrote about the American workforce's changing attitudes over the last 25 years. He quoted this article as saying:

"Ellen Galinsky of the Families and Work Institute says, 'What we found was striking -- specifically because it uncovers a marked shift in the attitudes of both women and men who are redefining their priorities in life and in work.'

The study revealed that children of Gen-X parents receive more attention than children did in 1977, with Gen-X fathers spending over an hour more per day with their children than Boomer fathers. The study also finds that both women and men have become more conscious of the personal tradeoffs they have to make to advance in their careers and that an increasing number are choosing to stay at the same levels, rather than continue moving up the career ladder."

This caught my attention, because it reminded me I still haven't finished reading this past Sunday's cover story from the Boston Globe Magazine, titled "Gen X Dad."

The article is about a group of men who leave work on time to spend more time with their kids. Even if working overtime would provide extra money they could use, they're putting their families first.

I don't have any children, although my husband and I do have a terrific cat to dote on, but we do think about the future. That's one of the reasons my husband decided to start driving local. Choosing to put family first doesn't necessarily mean you don't think work is important.

At one point, I was helping Jeff Taylor and Doug Hardy by transcribing interviews for their books. I recall one of the recruiters who was interviewed giving advice on how to answer tough questions. The question was something to the point of, which is more important to you: work or family?

This isn't a trick question. Employers are looking for you to give the truth, and it's to your benefit to do so. Remember, you're interviewing the company as much as the company's interviewing you.

For those who are embracing these attitudinal changes, here's one way to answer that question: "Work and family are both very, very important to me. How I prioritize them in relation to each other shifts depending on the situation. When I am at work, that is what's at the top of my list. For example…"

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