Work-life balance and male lawyers: a socially constructed and dynamic process

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to theorize men’s experiences of work-life balance in male-dominated, high-performance industries.Design/methodology/approachThis study provides an in-depth qualitative study comprising interviews and informal conversations with male lawyers in Canada.FindingsThis study highlights the socially constructed nature of male lawyers’ experiences of work-life balance and the recursive impact of industry, professional and societal expectations and norms.Research limitations/implicationsA relatively small sample size, suggesting the need for further study with a larger and more diverse sample. The study was conducted in Canada – other national contexts may furnish different results.Practical implicationsThis study identifies the need for greater awareness of how institutional, professional and societal expectations and norms impact on men’s experiences of work-life balance in male-dominated, high-performance industries.Social implicationsThis paper indicates that greater attention needs to be paid to work-life balance among men in male-dominated, high-performance industries.Originality/valueThis paper explores men’s experiences of work-life balance in a male-dominated industry within an interpretivist paradigm.