Affiliations: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine,
Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Department of Sociology, Université du Québec
à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Department of Sexology, Université du Québec
à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Kim Engler, Département de
sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Case postale 8888,
succursale Centre-ville, Montréal (Québec), H3C 3P8, Canada. Tel.: +514
987 3000, ext. 1786; Fax: +514 987 6787; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: Single, childless working women (SCWW) are a notable
proportion of the female workforce. The budding research on this population
suggests that they have issues of wellbeing that may be tied to specific needs
of both their workplaces and their personal lives, and hence, distinct
work-life dynamics that require attention. This study explores how SCWW
construct their wellbeing. Participants: The sample was composed of 22
SCWW aged 29 to 45. Methods: A discourse analysis of the transcripts of
semi-structured interviews with these women was performed. Results: Most women drew on an interpretative repertoire of "wellbeing as balance" (e.g.,
diversification and reasonable dosing of life's dimensions). It was associated
with a recurrent subject position we have termed "the dynamic woman" whose
intensity transfused talk of the activities in her life. Here, work becomes a
"passion" and a source of appreciated challenges. However, a dilemma could
arise from these constructions for positioning oneself in relation to the
cadence of one's active life or rather, in articulating an unambiguous claim to
balance. Balance/dosing and dynamicity/passion can be uneasy bedfellows. Conclusions: Our analyses raise questions about possible counter[balancing]
discourses and further argue the relevance of work-life issues for SCWW.
