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Is It Time for a Revolution in Work‒Life Balance? Reflections from Spain

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  • Rocío Rodríguez-Rivero

    (Department of Organization Engineering, Business Administration and Statistics, ETSI Industriales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28006 Madrid, Spain)

  • Susana Yáñez

    (Department of Organization Engineering, Business Administration and Statistics, ETSI Industriales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28006 Madrid, Spain)

  • Celia Fernández-Aller

    (Department of IT Systems, ETSI Sistemas Informáticos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28031 Madrid, Spain)

  • Ruth Carrasco-Gallego

    (Department of Organization Engineering, Business Administration and Statistics, ETSI Industriales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28006 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has taken the world by surprise, and its effects are widening pre-existing inequalities such as socioeconomical, educational, and digital divides. The gender gap is no exception, and research shows that lockdowns are strongly impacting women, who, on the whole, are more vulnerable to the effects of a crisis. This study analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain on families, from a gender perspective. To this end, 663 participants related to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields were recruited to participate in the research through their connection with the Equality Office of the major technical university of Spain, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, which offers most engineering and architecture degrees. The results indicate that the great myths of gender inequality are still alive in Spain, and that a crisis of this nature can perpetuate them. However, the crisis also presents an opportunity for change. Will the STEM careers be prepared to take advantage of this opportunity, or will this crisis end up perpetuating their markedly masculine character? Are we ready for a revolution? The COVID-19 crisis and its learnings about the importance of care can open the path to change.

Suggested Citation

  • Rocío Rodríguez-Rivero & Susana Yáñez & Celia Fernández-Aller & Ruth Carrasco-Gallego, 2020. "Is It Time for a Revolution in Work‒Life Balance? Reflections from Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-25, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9563-:d:446358
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marta Peña & Noelia Olmedo-Torre & Olga Alcaraz & Juan A. Chavez-Dominguez & José López & Luis Eduardo Mujica, 2022. "Impact of the Pandemic on the Teaching and Research Staff at a Technological University in Spain: Deepening the Gender Gap," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-26, May.
    2. Pavel Stanciu & Daniela Mihaela Neamțu & Iulian Alexandru Condratov & Cristian-Valentin Hapenciuc & Ruxandra Bejinaru, 2023. "Dynamics of Teleworking and Impact on Stakeholders in the Current Pandemic Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, April.
    3. Addissie Melak & Seema Singh, 2021. "Women’s Participation and Factors Affecting Their Academic Performance in Engineering and Technology Education: A Study of Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-22, February.
    4. Michele Samuele Borgia & Francesca Di Virgilio & Maura La Torre & Muhammad Adnan Khan, 2022. "Relationship between Work-Life Balance and Job Performance Moderated by Knowledge Risks: Are Bank Employees Ready?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, April.
    5. Amanda Esquivel & Simona Marincean & Marilee Benore, 2023. "The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on STEM faculty: Productivity and work-life balance," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(1), pages 1-10, January.

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