Living in Real Time

Parents with non-traditional work schedules often§face considerable challenges coordinating employment§with family routines. At the same time, the nature of§motherhood and fatherhood is changing and raising§children has become more time-intensive than ever§before. In this book, Margo Hilbrecht explores how§employed parents spend their time and the§relationship to time pressure, stress and work-life§balance. Drawing on a gender relations perspective,§she uses quantitative data to outline differences and§similarities among mothers and fathers, weaving§together household factors, employment arrangements§and broader socio-cultural influences. The findings§raise questions about reconciling parents and§employers needs with the rhythm of family life, and§why patterns of gendered behaviour persist despite§the obstacles and opportunities created by§non-standard or irregular work hours. The role of§leisure is highlighted as an important component of§work-life balance. This book is particularly useful§to researchers, educators, parents and employers§interested in gaining critical insight into the§effect of non-traditional schedules and§time-intensive parenting practices on parents lives.