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Challenging Heteronormative and Gendered Assumptions in Work–Family Research: An Examination of LGB Identity-Based Work–Family Conflict

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Gender and the Work-Family Experience

Abstract

Despite growing recognition of the importance in understanding LGB-related issues in organizations, little is known regarding the work-family conflict (WFC) experiences of LGB individuals. This chapter suggests that challenging certain heteronormative assumptions, which exclude LGB families from the traditional WFC literature, may reveal different meanings and experiences of WFC among LGB individuals relative to their heterosexual counterparts. Specifically, we argue that LGB discrimination creates disconnects between the work and family domains, which forcibly separate these domains for LGB employees and restrict their ability to freely mix elements of their work and family lives like their heterosexual peers. In turn, current measures of WFC may suffer from heterosexual bias in that such measures consist of items that may be differentially interpreted by LGB individuals. We further suggest an additional dimension (identity-based conflict) may be necessary to more fully capture the WFC experiences of LGB employees. The chapter concludes by discussing implications for future research and practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Villanova University, St. Mary’s Hall, Suite 119, 800 Lancaster Avenue, 19085, Villanova, PA, USA

    Katina B. Sawyer PhD

  2. Department of Management and Organizational Development, Northeastern University, 360 Huntingdon Avenue, 112 Hayden Hall, 02115, Boston, MA, USA

    Christian N. Thoroughgood PhD

  3. Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 228 Behavioral Sciences Building, 1876 Campus Delivery, 80523, Fort Collins, CO, USA

    Jeanette N. Cleveland PhD

Authors
  1. Katina B. Sawyer PhD
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  2. Christian N. Thoroughgood PhD
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  3. Jeanette N. Cleveland PhD
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Correspondence to Katina B. Sawyer PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychology and Management, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, USA

    Maura J. Mills

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Sawyer, K., Thoroughgood, C., Cleveland, J. (2015). Challenging Heteronormative and Gendered Assumptions in Work–Family Research: An Examination of LGB Identity-Based Work–Family Conflict. In: Mills, M. (eds) Gender and the Work-Family Experience. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08891-4_5

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