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Understanding the Family Structure in Africa: Role in Work–Life Integration

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Work-life Integration in Africa

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Abstract

The meaning of the family must be contextually situated since no universal definition applies around the world. There are two broad categorizations of family, the nuclear and the extended family structures, all other structures are modifications of these categorizations. In managing work–life integration, therefore, the meaning of the family must be defined bearing in mind the context of employees since the meaning assumed affects the development of policies, number of demands, and resources that are considered. For instance, the nuclear family structure involves responsibilities for spouses and children, while the extended family structure involves additional responsibilities. Hence, policies for different family structures must vary. A mini study established that the extended family structure leads to additional resources and demands on employees, hence, proper coordination is required to derive the benefits of the family structure and to minimize the effects of its challenges.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Lekki, Nigeria

    Okechukwu E. Amah

  2. Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Lekki, Nigeria

    Marvel Ogah

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  1. Okechukwu E. Amah
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  2. Marvel Ogah
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Correspondence to Okechukwu E. Amah .

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Amah, O.E., Ogah, M. (2021). Understanding the Family Structure in Africa: Role in Work–Life Integration. In: Work-life Integration in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69113-4_10

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