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date: 14 December 2019

Abstract and Keywords

This chapter reviews the literature on the family and personal demands of single workers without dependent children. Also discussed are findings from an interview study examining how singles without dependent children manage work and nonwork. Results of both the literature review and interviews suggest that singles without dependent children have a variety of family, relationship, and personal demands, which often compete with work, leading to interrole conflict. Moreover, most interview participants indicated that their role as family member is highly valued, and of greater importance than their work role. Taken together, findings refute the view of many work–family researchers that singles without dependent children “have no family” and argue for their inclusion in studies of the work–family interface.

Keywords: singles, work–family, work–nonwork, family diversity, eldercare, family-friendly backlash, inclusion, work–family conflict, family status discrimination

Wendy J. Casper

Wendy J. Casper holds a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from George Mason University, and is Professor of Management at the University of Texas at Arlington. Her research on work-life issues has been widely published and discussed in the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal. She was a finalist for the Rosabeth Moss Kanter Award for Excellence in Work-Family Research. She lives in Arlington, TX with her voluntary kin sister and their dog Lucky.

Dennis J. Marquardt

Dennis J. Marquardt is a fourth year doctoral candidate in Management at the University of Texas at Arlington. His core research interests primarily focus on ethics and social issues in organizations. He has presented and published studies on topics concerning ethical leadership, cultural intelligence and race and gender diversity in organizations.

Katherine J. Roberto

Katherine J. Roberto received her PhD in Management from University of Texas at Arlington. She is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Management in the College of Business Administration at the University of Texas at Arlington. Her research focuses on work-life balance and diversity in the workforce.

Carla Buss

Carla Buss held a doctorate in industrial engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. At the time that she passed away she was pursuing a second PhD in Management at the University of Texas at Arlington. She was a talented, dedicated and passionate student, researcher, and teacher. She is remembered not only for these qualities, but for the kind friend she was to all who knew her.

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