Family and work on your own. The combination strategies of single mothers and fathers
Due to demographic changes, the situation of single parents has received a lot of attention in public debate and new policies. Nevertheless, little scientific information is available on the daily life and social conditions of single parents. In a dual parents household, previous research found two types of strategies to find a work-life balance. First, one can choose to intervene in the work role: the parent can reduce, adjust or end his/her working schedule. Second, one can adjust their family role by outsourcing a part of his/her family role. However, the question remains which strategies single parents use to find a work-family balance. Using 28 biographical interviews, this qualitative research focused on the daily life of single parents in Flanders and their search for a work-life balance. The results suggest four types of single parents, based on criteria such as job satisfaction, feelings of guilt, educational problems, and socio-economical characteristics. This article will discuss for each of these four groups the strategies they use to (re-)find balance in their work-life conflict.