An Organizational Communication Challenge to the Discourse of Work and Family Research: From Problematics to Empowerment

Using a discourse perspective, we articulate four problematics, (a) boundaries, (b) identity, (c) rationality, and (d) voice that underlie work-family theory, research, and practice. We situate existing interdisciplinary research within each problematic, showing how such research examines outcomes and effects rather than the process of constructing such outcomes. We supplement these studies with emerging communication research to illustrate new ways of thinking about each problematic. We highlight the role of daily microlevel discourses as well as macrodiscourses of organizations and families in creating the current processes, structures, and relationships surrounding work and family. We link each problematic with an agenda for empowerment through (a) questioning boundaries, (b) integrating identity, (c) embracing practical knowledge and emotionality, (d) seeking diverse voices, and (e) developing a communal orientation

Family and Work Socializing Communication: Messages, Gender, and Ideological Implications

Parental socialization is an important way we learn about the worlds of work and family. This study investigates the content and gendered nature of over 900 parental work, family, and balance memorable messages. A total of 21 inductively coded message categories are detailed in terms of message frequency and content. Overall, men and women reported receiving similar messages from parents about the role that work and family should play in adult life. Additional chi-square analyses demonstrate that women received significantly different messages than men about choosing particular careers and exiting the paid labor force in relation to anticipated family obligations. Possible ideological implications of these findings are delineated in the discussion section including: work as personal fulfillment, the gendered nature of work choice, and reinforcing family in young men's lives. Limitations and future directions of this study are also addressed