Coordinating the role of father and professional career

Z magistrskim delom smo želeli odgovoriti na raziskovalno vprašanje, kako moški opisujejo usklajevanje starševstva s profesionalno kariero. Zanimalo nas je tudi, kako udeleženci opisujejo sebe v starševski in kako v profesionalni vlogi. Zanimivost tematike izhaja iz družbenodemografskih, ekonomskih, kulturnih in zgodovinskih sprememb in nas je zato pritegnila. Še posebej nas je k raziskovanju nagovoril pojav »novega očetovstva« in močno zakoreninjeni družbeni spolni stereotipi. Pri raziskovanju smo uporabili metodo tematske analize, s katero smo na podlagi empiričnih podatkov, pridobljenih z intervjuji zaposlenih očetov, dobili uvid v usklajevanje starševstva s profesionalno kariero. Rezultati raziskave kažejo, da je udeleženim očetom otrok v zgodnjem otroštvu usklajevanje zasebne in profesionalne vloge dokaj stresno. Pokazalo se je, da zaposleni očetje želijo biti vključeni v skrb in nego otroka ter v gospodinjska opravila. Hkrati imajo ambicije po uspešni profesionalni karieri. V obeh vlogah želijo biti odgovorni in angažirani. Izkazalo se je, da večini udeležencev večji izziv predstavlja očetovska vloga kot profesionalna kariera, za katero se opisujejo tudi kot kompetentnejše in bolj zadovoljne. Pomemben podporni dejavnik pri usklajevanju obeh vlog je partnerka, ki prevzema večji del organizacije gospodinjstva, in stari starši, ki se vključujejo po potrebi. Očetje so navajali predloge za izboljšave položaja zaposlenih moških na področju socialno-družinske politike (boljša dostopnost stanovanj, vrtcev itd.), delovnih organizacij (drsni delovni čas, delo od doma, neobremenjenost delodajalcev z bolniško odsotnostjo zaradi nege otrok itd.). Usklajevanje obeh vlog je spremenilo način življenja udeležencev in jim vsaj v manjši meri povzroča stres in pomanjkanje časa.This master thesis aims to answer the research question on how men describe juggling parenthood and career. We were also interested in how the participants describe themselves in a parental versus a professional capacity. The topic is interesting due to the social-demographic, economic, cultural, and historical changes. For the most part, we were drawn to the research by the “new fatherhood” phenomenon, as well as heavily entrenched gender stereotypes. While researching, we used the topical analysis method to gain insight via interviews into how working men juggle parenthood and professional career. The results show that men who devote a lot of time to their children in early childhood, are more stressed when it comes to coordinating their parental and professional duties. Additionally, working fathers want to be included in caring for their child, as well as in performing household chores. At the same time, they have their own professional ambitions to have a successful career. They want to be responsible and engaged in both roles. As per the results, most participants deem their role as a father a greater challenge than their professional career, for which they also describe themselves as more competent and more satisfied. An important support factor in coordinating the two roles is the partner, who carries most of the household organization responsibilities, and grandparents, who are involved where necessary. The interviewed fathers listed suggestions regarding social and family politics (better accessibility of apartments and kindergartens, etc.) in order to improve the conditions for working fathers. There were also suggestions regarding business organization (flexible working hours, remote work, unconcern on the part of employers when workers take sick leave to care for their children, etc.). Juggling both roles has changed the lives of the participants. It also causes, at least to some extent, stress and time shortage