‘This study examines the employment decisions of heterosexual women married to military service members, and how their decisions to work or not work evolve over time within this context of uncertainty and high demands.’For some the pull that was exerted on the spouses was constant while for others the pull was amplified as the service… Continue reading 2nd class, unchosen career
Category: Exploitation
Unintentional exploitation within the workplace and by the military.
Gendered, unpaid roles
‘The family and the military are both “greedy institutions” (Segal, 1986) and their competing demands can lead to conflict between work and family life for personnel.’The demands of the military can also extend to military families via experiences of relocation, separations and reunions, and deployment, resulting in poorer mental health and well-being among military spouses.’An… Continue reading Gendered, unpaid roles
Finding Fulfilment
‘Encouraging and supporting spouses to not only obtain work but also obtain fulfilling employment could result in improved well-being among this population.’ ‘It’s nice to just be you’: The influence of the employment experiences of UK military spouses during accompanied postings on well-being.Rachael Gribble, Laura Goodwin, Sian Oram, Nicola T FearApril 1, 2019
No career; unrealised potential
‘As well as limitations on active employment choices, some spouses described the sacrifices they were required to make regarding employment or education because of the restrictions encountered through their contact with the military.’When speaking about these concessions, some women expressed feelings of resentment, frustration and unrealised potential.’As with tensions between the roles of employee and… Continue reading No career; unrealised potential
Limited choice or control
‘A prominent view among spouses was that accompanied postings limited their ability to have choice and control over their career or employment. As a consequence, spouses were unable to plan ‘career paths’; spouses who wanted to work described this as negatively affecting job satisfaction and generating resentment.’In some cases, this had serious implications for the… Continue reading Limited choice or control
Employed on the cheap
‘Participants who found employment in roles that they felt under-utilised their skills or experience felt they were not sufficiently financially or professionally recognised or rewarded. Others described how they perceived there to be a reduction in their ability to support and provide for their families which could contribute to negative moods and emotions:”I felt like… Continue reading Employed on the cheap