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“The very highest thing is family”: Male assistant professors’ work/family management

Interactions and Intersections of Gendered Bodies at Work, at Home, and at Play

ISBN: 978-1-84950-944-2, eISBN: 978-1-84950-945-9

Publication date: 2 July 2010

Abstract

Purpose – Interest in work/family management among professors has lead to a plethora of research about female professors with children. Very little research exists about professors who are fathers. What does exist is comparative in nature. In this chapter, the author takes an in-depth look at such men's work/family management.

Methodology/approach – This chapter presents research from a qualitative study with 25 fathers who are untenured tenure track assistant professors at research universities.

Findings – Most men state a commitment to and valuing of family above all else. Yet the two fatherhood ideologies of breadwinning and involved fatherhood privilege these men by allowing them substantial flexibility in their day-to-day lives and an affirmation of masculinity. At the same time, many struggle to minimize their work involvement to be involved with the day-to-day care of their children.

Originality/value of chapter – This study demonstrates how prevailing ideologies about fatherhood allow men a structural double privilege when constructing their work and family lives.

Citation

Richards Solomon, C. (2010), "“The very highest thing is family”: Male assistant professors’ work/family management", Texler Segal, M. (Ed.) Interactions and Intersections of Gendered Bodies at Work, at Home, and at Play (Advances in Gender Research, Vol. 14), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 233-255. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1529-2126(2010)0000014014

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited