Abstract:
Work-life balance issues are not a constant but are framed differently at different
stages of the life-course. In addition to analysing behaviour, it is also important
to develop an understanding of the meaning that actors attach to what they do.
This article examines the perspectives of young Australian professionals on career,
relationships and family formation as these evolve over the early years after university
graduation. It provides an insight into their views about the balance between their
career goals and family in the early years of their professional working lives. It
reports a longitudinal study of 86 young Australian professionals from 1997 to 2003,
which highlights the emergent and contingent nature of decisions about careers and
relationships and their relevance for childbearing. Gender plays a role in their plans
and expectations but they reject the traditional male breadwinner model. The high
value given to dual career relationships may put stress on their ability to balance
family aspirations with satisfactory careers.
