Antecedents of work-family conflict among dual-career couples: An Australian study

Over the past three decades, Western industrialised nations have witnessed major changes in their labour force characteristics. Of particular importance has been the steady increase of women in the workforce, due not only to economic necessity, but also to their needs for personal development and financial independence, similar to those of men. Women increasingly expect to combine a paid job with motherhood, and dual-earner households have become more prevalent. As a result, few families now fit the traditional mould of the man as sole breadwinner and the woman as housekeeper and primary care-giver.