7/24/2000
Friedman and Greenhaus, professors of management at, respectively, Wharton and Drexel, have devoted their research careers to the study of the relationship between work and family. In this joint effort they present concrete analysis of how American society is dealing with the convergence of the work and family domains. Integrating original research, based on a survey of 861 business professionals, with a comprehensive review of the literature in the field, the authors present a framework for understanding how work and family interrelate. They identify six emerging themes, ranging from how the domains of work and family can be mutually enriching to the idea of children as the unseen stakeholders at work. Friedman and Greenhaus also explore the issue of gender identity, which they call the "great divide," demonstrating how powerful it is in its influence over the work-family dynamic. The book concludes with a game plan for making allies of work and family.