Wellbeing WorkLife Balance Women Learners Joanne Smith Aims
Wellbeing: Work-Life Balance & Women Learners Joanne Smith
Aims �To consider the potential wellbeing benefits of learning �Looking at the issue of Work-Life Balance (WLB) �Providing a brief overview of this Ph. D study & the approach taken �Look at challenges and benefits of learning, linking with WLB and wellbeing theme �Consider strategies and motivators
Education & Well-being “The evidence that learning promotes well-being is overwhelming” (Field, 2009, IFFL) “Learning encourages social interaction and increases self-esteem and feelings of competency……. ” “…will enable individuals to develop new skills, strengthen social networks, and feel more able to deal with life’s challenges. ”
Linking education with wellbeing �NIACE (2013) comments that education and learning can lead to improved wellbeing �Associated with raised self esteem �Raised awareness around health issues and wellbeing �Improved career prospects and job opportunities leading to social inclusion
Defining Work-Life Balance: �“‘Work-life balance’ has emerged as a widely used and popular way of talking about challenges in combining paid work with other parts of life. ” (Gambles et al 2006) �“Having sufficient control and autonomy over where, when and how you work to fulfil your responsibility within and outside paid work. ” (Work Foundation 2008)
Work-life Balance & Wellbeing �Form a close association �Individual ability to reach a balance within their lives will lead to wellbeing �Yet WLB is often viewed as a deficit model, in terms of discussion being about a lack of balance �There is a wealth of research which includes a strong gender dimension
My research…. �Based upon a mixed method �Initial Survey of 106 learners �In-depth Interviews of 10 women undertaking Foundation Degrees in Early Years �Also, 2 focus groups, one with a new group of respondents, a second revisiting respondents from the interviews �Hence forming a case study based upon a thematic review
Nature of work based learning �Work �Earn �Learn �Foundation degrees value the benefits of having learners who are in the workforce �Looking at combining theory and practice �Also drawing from tacit skills and understanding
Issues around work-based learning & WLB �Work-based Learning can lead to potential issues around achieving WLB �Work earn and learn is based upon combining roles �With different aspects of life taking time and effort �Potentially for clashing demands as well as complementing aspects
Achieving WBL?
Challenges faced: Demands competing for attention: �Family and the domestic �The workplace / time dedication to employment �Learning / study time: In terms of the study day / evening at University or college �Independent study �Leisure
Overlapping Demands
How much leisure? Not much…
Leisure �Leisure is forced out as study takes over much personal time �Only leisure which benefits the family is allowable �Cassidy (2005) comments that leisure is an important buffer zone for stress �Associating the depletion of leisure with stress and adverse physical effects
What respondents say about their situation? “It’s really hard…” “…the house is a mess at the minute, but I have got to get my assignment finished…. it all takes a back seat …when I have finished my assignment I will clean up…. . ” “…. . occasionally I will have a weep…. ” “What is very difficult is the guilt when I started to study…. I was guilty of studying”
What is a typical day like? �“…it is just hard coming home from working all day and then coming home to do more work” �“…my study time has gone to evenings…. . later and later” �“I feel tired……then I yawn myself through it…. . ” �“I get worked up…I hate being stressed”
Implications of study include… �Stress �Guilt linked a sense of family responsibility �Physical effect: Illness, headaches, colds, weight gain �Emotional Effects: Tears and crying �Deadline obsession: constantly focused upon the end
Strategies to achieve balance: �Managing and planning time �Delegating to family and seeking help �Placing priorities around studies �Lowered domestic standards and expectations in some areas to achieve deadlines � Support from family, tutors, the student group, workplace �Reducing working hours
Strategies: �“Everything is controlled…. . time tabled…” �“…. . I can do it when they are in bed and I know that they are safe” �“…so that work doesn’t take over everything…. …. I keep things in boxes really. ” �“I really did struggle I thought …. I can’t do this course and be working full time…. I decided to reduce my hours”
Motivation was linked to…. �Wanting a better future for themselves and their families �Increased income potential �Roles models for their children �To make their families proud �On balance they felt they might make short terms compromises for greater opportunity in the future
Respondents said about study: �“…. they know that I want to better myself…. and if I better myself maybe I would get a better job” �“I feel like I am achieving something…. . and I am learning a lot…and I am passing it on…” �“…. I do it for girls, because, they are looking forward to me graduating”
Positive benefits of learning �Improved self-esteem and self image �Increased confidence in dealing with all aspects of life �Sense of personal achievement �Becoming more articulate �Better able to access information �Increased options and improved career prospects �Positive impact upon family and community
Final Question…… If you had know what it involved would you still do it? �“…. sometimes you think why on earth am I studying? Why am I doing this, but there is an answer, you are going to get a degree at the end of it…. ” �“…. now when I speak about things at work, I actually know what I am talking about and that is great, you feel good about yourself”
“…. I say if I had know what this was going to be like I would never have begun, but I know that I would have because I have always wanted to do a degree…. I really believe that and I think that I am a better person for it…. . I am more confident”
In conclusion �Education and learning have a positive effect upon wellbeing �But at times outcomes require compromises around WLB �Negatives effects might be stress, time pressure and reduction in leisure �But this is compensated through increased confidence, self esteem and a sense of accomplishment, as well as improved career prospects �This keeps learners dedicated to their study
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