ABSTRACT
We have all seen the images of the modern and harried adult, racing from work to home. If there is ever a still moment, the androgynous pant-suited (or overall-covered) adult is at the fulcrum of a large balance beam seemingly burdened with children and a spouse on one side and work-related paraphernalia, usually a briefcase and computer, on the other. The balance is delicate and any false movement to one side will start the items on the other side in a downward slide. The message in this balance metaphor is clear-spend too much time at work and your family will suffer and vice versa. There are similar other metaphors that offer similar dire outcomes. There is the juggler-similarly dressed, usually androgynous in appearance, but now with a baby, computer, spouse, client, and other work and family “balls” in the air. If this harried worker/family juggler holds on to any one of these objects too long the others will crash. It is like juggling a bowling ball, chain saw, and penknife at the same time. The juggler had better pay close attention or she or he will be crushed/slashed/stabbed. These metaphors are not only anxiety provoking; the message that they send is wrong. Work and family are not a zero-sum game. Although there are reasonable limits to all activities, there are many benefits that accrue to people who both work and have families and other out-of-work life activities. It is time to change the metaphor.
