Walking the Tightrope: Exploring the Challenges and Strategies of Employed Single Mothers in Achieving Work-Family Balance

Abstract

As the number of single-parent families continues to increase around the world, there is a need to shed light on the everyday struggles that employed single mothers endure in managing their dual roles as employees and mothers without a spouse or partner. Guided by Clark’s Work-Family Border Theory, I conducted a qualitative phenomenological study to understand how employed single mothers navigate their roles to achieve work-family balance. Findings were obtained through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through Moustakas’ data analyzing procedure. The results revealed that employed single mothers were met with difficulties at work, such as longer work hours, conflict with their superiors, and high volumes of tasks. They also encountered family-related problems, such as lacking adequate funds for their family’s needs and being sole caregivers to their children. Further, they tried to attain work-family balance by employing family members to perform tasks for them, seeking help from supportive superiors and co-workers, and prioritizing one task over another. This study may serve as a foundation for future organizational policies and legislation that seek to address the unique needs of women balancing their organizational and familial responsibilities.