A1 Journal article (refereed)
The puzzles of daily life : The temporal orders of families when parents have non‐standard work schedules (2023)

Siippainen, A., Närvi, J., & Alasuutari, M. (2023). The puzzles of daily life : The temporal orders of families when parents have non‐standard work schedules. International Journal of Social Welfare, 32(3), 291-305. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsw.12576

The research was funded by Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland.

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Siippainen, Anna; Närvi, Johanna; Alasuutari, Maarit

Journal or series: International Journal of Social Welfare

ISSN: 1369-6866

eISSN: 1468-2397

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 01/12/2022

Volume: 32

Issue number: 3

Pages range: 291-305

Publisher: Wiley

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsw.12576

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/84337

Additional information: Special Issue: Challenges for Family and Child well‐being in the New Era

Abstract

This article investigates the temporal orders of families as the daily rhythms and schedules when one or both parents work non-standard hours. Our focus is especially on the often asynchronous times of non-standard work, on one hand, and of early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and other institutions, on the other hand. The data consist of semi-structured qualitative interviews of Finnish parents with a four-year-old child. The results show that the asynchronous times generated by non-standard working hours cause a wide range of collisions both in relation to childcare and ECEC and to the division of labour between parents. The parents are ‘wrestling’, not only because of the asynchrony of their own work but also because of the ‘pedagogical rhythm’ created by ECEC professionals. However, the parents also find ways to manage time, facilitated by workplace flexibility or spousal negotiations over the sharing of responsibilities.

Keywords: families; family life; time use; working; working hours; atypical work; child care; day care; early childhood education and care; interview study

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 2