Gender culture and Malawian women’s reconciliation of work and family responsibilities

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12920947
AutoresTiyesere Mercy Chikapa (0000-0001-7583-5019, University of Malawi, autor de correspondencia)
Año2021
Volumen36
Número4
Páginas449-463
Fecha de publicación2021-02-24
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaGender in Management An International Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1754-2413 • E-ISSN: 1754-2421
EditorialEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/gm-11-2019-0227
OpenAlexW3133298395
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas22

Purpose This paper aims to examine how cultural systems shape spousal attitudes and the expectations placed upon women. This is based on the assumption that cultural systems shaping spousal attitudes and expectations on women makes their reconciliation of work and family responsibilities difficult despite sorting out childcare challenges and support with domestic work. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on 55 semi-structured interviews with Malawian women working in formal employment. From the 55 women interviewed, 31 worked in the public education sector and the remainder in the private sector’s financial and insurance sector. However, for comparison, 24 men from the same sectors were also engaged in the interviews. These were drawn from education and finance and insurance industries. Findings Analysis reveals that contrary to extant literature, childcare is not all or even always the main focus of family responsibilities potentially affecting Malawian women’s work life. Their experiences with reconciling work and family responsibilities were influenced by gender culture, which shapes spousal attitudes and community expectations. Research limitations/implications This study has not generated results suitable for statistical generalisation, but it may still allow for theoretical generalisation to similar contexts. Practical implications Managers need to recognise that women may be coming from homes and communities that place demanding expectations on them. Social implications There is need for promotion of gender equal social norms that enable women, just as men, to focus on their careers. Originality/value This paper contributes to limited literature about women’s experiences with reconciliation of work and family responsibilities in the contexts of a developing country where women have access to relatively affordable childcare support

Economic growth · Economics · Focus group · Originality · Political science · Private sector · Promotion (chess · Public relations · Public sector · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Value (mathematics · Work (physics · Emotional Labor in Professions · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Law · Work-Family Balance Challenges