BY JOHN HOPKINS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
About 75 percent of Ohio's working men and women have trouble -- either occasionally, fairly often or very often -- managing work and family, according to a statewide survey by the University of Cincinnati. The survey, conducted by UC's Kunz Center for the Study of Work and Family, dispels the notion that working women are the only ones to experience conflicts in balancing obligations.
"Most people think that women with young children experience the most conflict between work and family responsibilities, but our survey results show that men also desire to spend time with their families," said David J. Maume Jr., UC sociologist, Kunz Center director and author of the study.
More than 500 Ohioans responded to the survey, which was mailed to randomly selected parents in March. The margin of error is plus or minus 5 percent.
The survey examines the many ways families deal with the problems of balancing work and family life, particularly in light of the dramatic changes in women's work and family roles in the past half century.
The survey shows that 71 percent of working men report difficulties managing work and family obligations occasionally, fairly often or very often. The figure for working women was 76 percent.
The results of the survey come as no surprise to Ellen Bravo, co-director of 9to5, National Association of Working Women. The Cincinnati chapter of 9to5 is one of 23 across the country.
"My experience is that men are very committed to their families," Ms. Bravo said. "This isn't new that men want more time with their families. But more often they feel they will be punished at work because of the corporate culture."
The survey also shows:
The typical working parent in Ohio has a full-time job, with 56 percent of men working more than 48 hours per week. In comparison, 16 percent of women worked more than 48 hours per week.
A sizable minority of working parents -- 18 percent of men and 13 percent of women -- said they worked more than one job, and about one-third work during weekends.
Among full-time workers, 55 percent of men and two-thirds of women would like to work fewer hours.
"On the bright side, parents who control their work schedules report they are better able to strike a balance between work and family obligations," Mr. Maume said.
Most working parents in Ohio have some control over their work schedules, the survey showed. More than half of full-time working men and women "agreed" or "strongly agreed" with the statement, "I can control my work schedule."
