Work-family conflict among Hindu mothers in South Africa

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the interplay between cultural values and work-family conflict (WFC) among Hindu mothers in South Africa (SA).

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 20 Hindu mothers in full-time paid employment participated in individual in-depth interviews. The authors used thematic analysis to analyze the interview transcripts.

Findings

Three themes emerged from the participants’ work-family narratives: a strong collective identity in relation to family, traditional gender beliefs, and family deference. These themes reflect core Hindu cultural values and demonstrate that culture helps shape perceptions of WFC.

Research limitations/implications

The results highlight the importance of considering cultural values in work-family research and contribute to the limited knowledge on work-family experiences among ethnic minority groups, particularly in diaspora communities.

Practical implications

The findings should assist managers in designing work-family initiatives that will help alleviate the WFC experienced by mothers from ethnic minority groups.

Social implications

Understanding the work-family dynamics of mothers from ethnic minority groups facilitates the development of effective family-friendly policies, which may encourage them to enter and remain in the world of work. Such developments will help improve the skewed representation of previously disadvantaged groups in the workplace and promote the social transformation of South African society.

Originality/value

This study is one of very few that has explored cultural values and WFC among mothers from an ethnic minority group in a diaspora community. It contributes to the limited body of culture-sensitive work-family literature and establishes a base for further research on the topic.

Citation

Jaga, A. and Bagraim, J. (2017), "Work-family conflict among Hindu mothers in South Africa", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 38 No. 8, pp. 1086-1101. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-12-2013-0280