“My life is too chaotic to practice what I preach:” Personal and professional experiences of academic women in family studies-oriented programs.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-18-2017

Publication Title

Contemporary Family Therapy

Volume

40

Issue

1

First page number:

42

Last page number:

55

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of female faculty in family therapy and family studies graduate programs. Specifically, we were interested in how female faculty members in these programs experienced their roles as academics, partners, and/or parents. We conducted a discovery-oriented study qualitative study of 62 female academics in family studies and family therapy disciplines to identify the greatest concerns and benefits experienced by women in a family-studies-oriented academic field. Using a content analysis, we found that women in family studies/family therapy academic programs experience both high rewards and high demands and struggle with choosing among competing values. Additionally, the participants perceived support from colleagues, professional institutions, and family members as crucial to a female academic’s ability to perform up to expectations. We also offer suggestions for further research.

Keywords

Women, Academia, Tenure, Career, Family studies, Family therapy

Language

eng

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