Abstract:
INTRODUCTION : Taking on an identity lens, we explore how young working
fathers (in the establishment phase of their careers), experience their careers
in the context of their changing family roles (shifting ideologies of fathering).
We propose that working fathers’ work experiences, work decisions, and
career identity are the product of social and cognitive processes in a dualearner relationship.
MATERIALS AND METHODS : This qualitative study was conducted using an
interpretive, and qualitative survey. The data was collected amongst a
purposive sample of 45 young South African, well-educated, working fathers,
using semi-structured interviews, until data saturation was reached. Interviews
were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS : The three main themes extracted from the data were: “the meaning
of family identity,” “the impact of family identity on career identity,” and finally,
“the types of negotiation scenarios” used by working fathers in dual-earner
relationships, and how they balance the work-family challenges they face.
CONCLUSION : This study provides strong empirical support for the familyrelatedness of the work decisions perspective, as we highlight the roles of
working fathers as indicative of their family identities, and how these then
influence their career decisions. Furthermore, our findings shed light on
how dual-earner couples negotiate their work-family needs to foster positive
work-family outcomes.
