ABSTRACT

This chapter draws out some excerpts from the interviews about what the men had to say about work-life balance and leaves of absence as a means of framing the broader discussion about the glass handcuffs. It also presents data from the interviews that reveal the ways the men who feel balanced believe they are different, or outliers from the larger unbalanced population. Most men had strong opinions about both work-life balance and leave of absence policies specifically. Men conceptualized the two as completely separate and talked about achieving balance through strict compartmentalization. Almost all men interviewed talks about spending time with their families as primary nonwork pursuit involved in balance. As described, although some men think about work-life in traditional conceptions of work and life as separate entities, the interviewees also gave their perspectives on balance and leaves as contested, contradictory, and muddled concepts. This chapter illuminates a current status of men and work-life, as presented by the interviewees.