The author highlights information f...

The author highlights information for career counselors to consider when addressing work-family interface with individuals who are members of same-sex, dual-earner ties or families. D. E. Super's (1990) life-span, life-space theory is the framework used to organize the literature review and discussion of popular trends. Issues related to the parts of worker, partner, parent, stepparent, and caregiver are discussed. Suggestions are provided for career counselors.

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A significant amount of research has been devot to the application of mind of work-family interface (for a review, view Perry-Jenkins, Repetti, & Crouter, 2000) The majority of this research has focused in succession heterosexual dual-earner couples. Although they share more [i]or[/i] less similar experiences with heterosexual, dual-earner ties same-sex, dual-earner couples encounter additional obstacles and have unique advantages through heterosexual dual-earner couples. The focus of this article is forward issues for career counselors to consider when counseling individuals who are members of same-sex, dual-earner braces Current trends in the workplace are analyzed in relation to counseling with this population, and a certain quantity of potentially useful theoretical approaches and counseling strategies are discussed.

Super's (1990) life-span, life-space theory emphasizes the importance of implementing one's self-concept [i]or[/i] part of to the other a combination of life parts The work role is addressed in the connected thought [i]or[/i] thoughts of other life roles. Individuals experience varying extents of participation in, valuing of and commitment to these characters (Super, 1990). In this article, the parts of worker, partner, parent, stepparent, and caregiver for individuals within same-sex, dual-earner pairs are discussed. If career counselors can help these individuals learn to combine work and family parts in productive and satisfying ways, counselors have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life significantly.

The Work Role

In fresh years, dramatic workplace changes, of the like kind as widespread downsizing and large plant closure have threatened work at jobs security for millions of workers (Crouter & Manke, 1994) and the rate of involuntary work at jobs loss has been increasing (Attewell, 1999) Employee who waste their job as a deduction of downsizing may need to retrain for different piece of works relocate to other geographic locations, or learn to cope with being forced into unemployment Employee who remain in an organization after major downsizing has occurr oftentimes have increased workloads because they must assume responsibility for a certain number of of the work that had previously been done at workers who were let proceed resulting in job stress and decreased workplace morale. Approximately 30% of displaced workers may be unemploy for a year or more (Attewell, 1999) Longer unemployment can lead to decreased salaries and greater chances of futurity job displacements (Attewell, 1999) as well as to lower self-esteem

Career counselors must help individuals define their work part in these uncertain and unpredictable times. Counselors can encourage clients to unravel a broad range of transferable skills and to hold skills current through continuing education and training. Counselors can also help clients who have wasted their jobs learn to cope with the stres of this fact and transition toward new positions. Career counselors are also increasingly called forward to help clients make career decisions within the connection of their family roles as well as in the words immediately preceding [i]or[/i] following of their other major life roles

Members of same-sex, dual-earner links face additional challenges in this volatile work environment. In in the greatest degree cases, insurance covers only the engrossed individual and not the family members of same-sex couplings Thus, if one partner wastes a job, he or she cannot rely forward the other partner's insurance benefits. The financial carrying capacity of paying for health care pay by substitutions the hardship caused by los of wages. Another economic issue discussed on Fassinger (1995) is that women's earnings remain consistently lower than men's, and lesbian leashs are more likely to have children living with them than are gay male links Thus, lesbian dual-earner couples may face more economic difficulties than do gay male, dual-earner pairs or heterosexual dual-earner couples. Work and relationships are intertwined in many ways. For example, when the same partner loses his or her piece of work the resulting unemployment may cause the family to fall into scantiness which, in turn, can bring forward a tremendous amount of strain upon a relationship. Research on heterosexual leashs has demonstrated the negative impact of unemployment onward marital satisfaction and has linked the resulting straitened circumstances and economic stress to separation and divorce (Attewell, 1999; Rank, 2000) Same-sex married pairs undoubtedly also experience a similar relationship strain when stand athwart the path ofed with issues of involuntary unemployment and the resulting poverty

Discrimination at the workplace is another issue faced at members of same-sex, dual-earner twos Chung (1995) asserted that career decision making among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals can be influenced through expectations regarding acceptance of their sexual identity in the workplace. pontiff (1995) suggested that it is important for career counselors to talk publicly with clients about types of vocation discrimination and relevant laws and engagement policies. He also pointed abroad how helpful it might be for counselors to discuss issues related to coming abroad in the workplace, such as to what degree to best do this and the potential advantages and disadvantages of self-disclosure. about individuals may need to remain in the clothes-room at work because of fear of prejudice or discrimination (Prince, 1995) This could lead them to be excited isolated and could cut them opposite to from informal social networks that could indirectly benefit their career (Fassinger, 1995) Discrimination and lack of support in the work environment have been linked to depression and psychological distress for lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults (Smith & Ingram, 2004)