The Impact of dual-employed couples
Employment by both spouses has become commonplace in the decades following World War 11. Today. 72 percent of mothers with children under 18 are in the workforce!' In 1947, only 47 percent of women with children under 18 were in the labor force. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2005 showed that 67 percent of married women were employed.. Similar data for 2095 indicated that 66.8 percent of mothers with children under 18 were employed." Both economic and social pressures have encouraged this trend.
Dual-employed couples can usually be classified as either dual-career couples or dual-earner couples. With dual-career couples, both members are highly committed to their careers and view work as essential to their psychological sense of self and as integral to their personal identities." They view their employment as part of a career path involving progressively more responsibility, power, and financial remuneration. With dual-earner couples, one or both of the members defines his or her employment as relating to rewards such as money for paying bills, an opportunity to keep busy, or an additional resource to help out. Dual-earner couples do not see their employment as an integral part of their self-definition.
Some of the biggest challenges for dual-employed couples are a lack of time followed by the difficulties in balancing personal and professional life. The biggest advantages for dual-employed couples are increased income, followed by psychological benefits as a distant second.
Dual-employed couple situations can complicate the career development process for both individuals. A career opportunity that requires a geographical move for one member creates an obvious problem for the couple and their respective organizations. Other potential problems of dual-employed couples include the need for child care, balancing time schedules, and emotional stresses. Engaging in the career-planning process can certainly help dual-employed couples address potential problems before they become real.
Many organizations have responded to the needs of dual-employed couples by initiating family-friendly policies and programs. Proactive corporate programs include child and elder care, flexible work scheduling, job sharing, part-time work, telecommuting, parental leave, and personal time