A Balancing Act
Balancing the demands of work, parenting, and family is a challenging but necessary task for a significant number of American families. According to the Pew Research Center (2015), 46% of two-parent houses have both parents working full time, which is up from 31% in 1970. These data reveal that family structures have changed greatly and both parents working has become the norm. However, public policy and workplace structure has generally stayed the same. The pressures associated with this mismatch can lead to a stressful and unpredictable home environment.
To prepare for this discussion,
- Please refer to the Week 3 Guidance for further tips and examples that will support your success with this discussion.
- Review the optional resource Writing A Professional LetterLinks to an external site..
- Read Chapter 7: Work and Family Balance in Children & Families: Understanding Behavior & Dynamics.
- Locate and read a research-based article that relates to the balancing of work and family. The University of Arizona Global Campus Library is a good place to locate your article. As an alternative, you may use one from the recommended resources section in Week 3.
In your initial post, write a letter to the families you work with that includes the following:
- Explain how you think the stress of balancing work, parenting, and family can impact children and their behavior.
- Refer to your textbook and/or outside resources to qualify your own assertions.
- Describe strategies parents can use to ensure a positive family environment for children and other family members.
- Include at last two resources in your own community that could aid parents in this balancing act.
