Characteristics of a good family life will vary from family to family as no two situations will ever be alike. I think the goal of a good family life is to insure the happiness and satisfaction of the individuals involved. Considering childcare, a good family life, to me, would pertain to much planning ahead to see how the accommodations will be made in order to pertain to individuals beliefs of what a good family life consists of. The individuals considering such a responsibility would need to come to agreements on many decisions and well as contingency plans before proceeding. This would mean that the individuals would plan most importantly for the financial decisions. Will the individuals take time off from work or just one of the individuals? For how long will this last? Is there a means for saving money for this time?
Also who will actually perform the childcare? It could be the parents, a family member or hired help and that these secure means of childcare.
To balance a career and a family life means several things. It first means that the happiness, satisfaction and well-being of all the involved individuals considered.
I personally believe that a good family life would be one organized around a two career family. Optimistically the family would balance their lives to have two incomes from each, involved parent. These parents would be able to work full time jobs and be financially secure. I think that one parent would need to take at least a year of maternity leave before entering back into the work field. This parent would also have the option of working a part-time job until the child is old enough to begin daycare/pre-school.
Apart from childcare, the family would have to consider the relationship of the parents. In order to keep with the idea of the success of a two parent family, the parents would need to plan time together to keep their relationship strong. These individuals would not necessarily need to be legally bound, the security of the situation is important.
Many factors can through this balance off kilter. Unexpected factors such as an unplanned pregnancy, or the loss of a job may be considered. A temporary or permanent handicap of one of the breadwinners may take it down to a one-income household. Also the fact that one will not completely know what will keep them satisfied in a situation until they are involved in it. Our needs and desires are perpetually evolving and can be very unpredictable.
The most important change that has occurred due to the changes in traditional gender roles, I believe, is the fact that there are no correct answers. Historically men and women knew their roles that society placed upon them and knew what that pertained to.
Today many individuals are faced with the question of whether or not they are doing the right things to pertain to a good family life.
Not all career fields have been able to make the shift, but according to our course documents there have been several significant factors the business managers have made for their employees. Though the federal government does provide for time off for some situations, it does not entail payment or extended amounts of time. The course materials suggest that the use of Traditional Flextime, Daily flextime and Telecommuting are ways of helping the employer to be more flexible in terms of an employee’s family needs. Traditional Flextime is when start and end times for work are chosen by the employee it may also include certain core hours determined by the supervisor and organization. Daily Flextime enables employees to vary their work hours on a daily basis. Telecommuting, though not the most satisfying means of flexibility, allows employees to conduct work off-site for some portion of their core hours and may be done at home or at a satellite office.
Support from family members, workers and neighbors are very important, especially because of family life’s tendency to be so unpredictable. The support of family members is very important, even if it just consists of an outlet or advice. Also other family members are usually reliable sources that you may trust when in an unplanned situation.
Fellow workers acceptance of your lifestyle is also important. They can also act as counseling agents that can give you an outsider’s perspective.
Programs such as at-work daycare are very helpful as well. These make your ability to keep a close eye on a child as well as getting work tasks done much more successful.
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