Temporal conflicts and time management

The temporal structure of academic mothers in China

Bibliographic Data

ID12920985
AuthorsXueyu Yao (Jinan University, corresponding author), Jiaji Mao (0000-0002-6939-2247, Shenzhen University), Wenxiu Guo (0000-0002-3160-5024, Xiamen University)
Year2025
Volume41
Issue1
Pages9-26
Publication date2025-08-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueGender in Management An International Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1754-2413 • E-ISSN: 1754-2421
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/gm-09-2024-0494
OpenAlexW4413474662
LanguageEN
References cited65

Purpose The gender stratification in academia and the motherhood penalties women face can be attributed to the additional responsibilities women assume following the transition to motherhood. This study aims to examine the impact of motherhood on the life course of female scholars, including the changes they experience, their feelings and the strategies they adopt. Design/methodology/approach The study interviewed academic mothers in journalism and communication in China. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted, excluding time-related questions. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed following the interviewees’ consent. Approximately 200,000 words of interview notes were coded and analyzed using ATLAS.ti 8 software. Findings This research indicates that childbirth can accelerate the temporal dynamics of academic women’s lives, affecting both their work and family domains and reshaping the internal structure of their life processes. This creates a conflict between the roles of scholar and mother, leading to emotions such as guilt and self-reproach, prompting the development of time management strategies to navigate complex life processes. Originality/value This study examines the changes in female scholar’s temporal structure following the transition to motherhood, the resulting existential mood and time management. An exploration of Chinese mothers’ time management offers insights into the pervasive academic capitalism and the tyranny of time

China · Economics · Management · Political science · Sociology · Time management · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Law · Work-Family Balance Challenges

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