Managing the work-family interface: some Irish evidence

Abstract

This article describes the results of a study that used the Career- Family Attitudes Measure (CFAM) in order to explore attitudes towards the management of the careerfamily interface of a sample of 413 final year Irish undergraduate degree students. The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes, beliefs and values of potential entrants to the workforce in order to understand their intentions in relation to balancing competing life domains. The results indicated that the students indicated a strong interest in pursuing both careers and family life. Some of the results revealed quite stereotypical attitudes toward work and family issues and these were more prevalent among males than females. At the same time, the sample indicated that they believed that decisions concerning careers and family life should be made in an environment characterized by equality. The study also provided new insights into the CFAM and indicated ways in which it might be developed further