A Qualitative Study on Dual-earner Couples' Work-life Balance

맞벌이 가정, 삶의 경로와 조정방식에 대한 질적 연구

The study explored the work-life balance of three dual-earning couples using the household economics approach according to the hermeneutics paradigm. Three families were analysed. The couples were interviewed individually with a non-structural interview guide about their work history and life history, and with a semi-structured interview and structured questionnaire about their work hours, childcare practice, husband-wife relation, household income and expenditure, and daily and weekly schedule. The results revealed the different paths and various strategies to adjust work-life balance among the cases. Strategies were discussed to facilitate changes in labor market policy, childcare policy, working place culture and family's daily life planning.