Exploration of Work-Life Balance Through Four General Education Lenses

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Table of Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc48494427 \h 3Lens Analysis: History PAGEREF _Toc48494428 \h 3Lens Analysis: Humanities PAGEREF _Toc48494429 \h 5Lens Analysis: Natural and Applied Sciences PAGEREF _Toc48494430 \h 6Lens Analysis: Social Sciences PAGEREF _Toc48494431 \h 7Lens Connection PAGEREF _Toc48494432 \h 8History PAGEREF _Toc48494433 \h 8Humanities PAGEREF _Toc48494434 \h 9Natural and Applied Sciences PAGEREF _Toc48494435 \h 9Social Sciences PAGEREF _Toc48494436 \h 10References PAGEREF _Toc48494437 \h 11
Introduction
Wellness is a concept that has been used tremendously in modern society in promoting health. Also, the terms “work-life balance” and “working culture” have been used in recent years in connection to wellness. A healthy work-life balance is especially necessary as it enhances the overall quality of life. According to Garcia (2015), a healthy work-life balance ensures that a balance exists among the eight dimensions of wellness such as occupational dimension, which refers to satisfaction with ones’ work, social dimension, physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial dimension. In this paper, the changes in terms of values, norms, and culture that have happened in relation to work-life balance will be explored through four general education lenses.
Lens Analysis: History
History involves the study and examination of events that have happened in the past (Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), n.d.). An analysis of work-life balance is imperative in determining how the work-life balance has affected society and the current state of work-life balance in society. Examining work-life balance using the lens of history will not only offer an idea of where work-life balance is in current society but also how this issue has evolved over the years through different generations.
When we examine the older generation, it becomes evident that work-life balance was not given much consideration. The older generation (baby boomers) experienced many financial challenges when they were young, which led them to focus more on gaining stable employment and job security. However, this came at the expense of personal/ family life as they dedicated a lot of their time to work. According to Kohll (2018), approximately 80% of baby boomers, who currently hold the senior level positions in many companies, experience high-stress levels because they spend too much time at work taking care of work-related responsibilities. The next generation, Generation (Gen) X, had a different view on work-life balance. Due to the experiences of their parents, Gen X had an appreciation of work-life balance. They, therefore, focused more on family-oriented resources at the workplace that allowed them to spend as much time with their families as possible. As a result, they made maximum use of paid time/ personal time offs in comparison to baby boomers. To get more time for personal responsibilities, Gen X prefers employers who provide adequate maternity/ paternity leave, work from home opportunities as well as time for vacation (Kohll, 2018). However, the generation that has had the greatest appreciation of work-life balance is the millennial generation. This generation wants to work in environments that allow them time to pursue their personal responsibilities without pressure. To them, work is not a primary aspect of life but rather, a part of life that should not be given priority at the expense of everything else. However, they still need to work to earn a decent living and pay for huge student loans. However, pursuing careers that support their personal life has been hard and as indicated by Kohll (2018), approximately 59% of millennials worry about finding such careers. Employers are now focused on creating a flexible work environment to promote work-life balance not only for millennials but for other generations as well.
The history lens is integral in helping us have a look at how work-life balance has progressed over the years as well as the effect it has had on different generations. It is evident from this analysis that economic and other changes have an impact on work-life balance and more changes on the issue should be expected. As such, employers have to come up with more ways of establishing and maintaining healthy and supportive work environments that emphasize work-life balance. The history lens provides a pathway where employers can examine what has worked or not worked in the past so that they can make necessary changes to promote work-life balance in the future.
Lens Analysis: Humanities
The humanities involve the study of human cultures through creative expressions of how humans experience life (SNHU, n.d.). The lens of humanities provides an opportunity to examine work-life balance as it relates to human beings and their creativity. It also enhances self-reflection on personal experiences on social issues. As the issue of work-life balance has received so much attention in recent years, employers have been forced to be more creative to enhance work-life balance. The creativity is seen in the efforts to create a flexible work environment which increases job satisfaction and reduces stress levels, thus improving the health status of employees (Kohll, 2018). Creativity is also seen through some of the programs that employers are offering employees to reduce stress and prevent burnout. Maintaining work-life balance is difficult for both men and women and Comstock (2019) indicates that 50% and 56% of men and women respectively have a hard time maintaining a work-life balance. As people are changing in terms of culture and their needs within the workplace, so are employers. Human beings are dynamic and employers have a responsibility to create healthy work environments that promote work-life balance.
On a personal and professional level, the need for work-life balance resonates with me, especially since I am about to venture into my career. Other than balancing work and personal life, there is also the element of educational life which is as demanding. Therefore, tending to work responsibilities, school assignments, and family responsibilities can be a daunting experience that requires establishing a balance among all those responsibilities. Yet, a lack of balance among these responsibilities can be a source of stress, and most of the time we tend to ignore it. My interest in this issue of work-life balance stems from my need of establishing a work-life balance when I eventually venture into my career. I want to be able to balance all aspects of my life without feeling overwhelmed.
The analysis of work-life balance through the humanities lens allows individuals to self-reflect and develop awareness on how an issue affects or is expected to affect them. Organization leaders can also reflect on their organizations and how they can affect change when it comes to work-life balance.
Lens Analysis: Natural and Applied Sciences
Natural and applied sciences deal with the physical environment as observed by scientists (SNHU, n.d.). The lens of natural and applied sciences give individuals an opportunity to make commentary about work-life balance and how technological developments have impacted work-life balance. Society has different views about different aspects of daily life manifestations. Examining how science and technology have impacted work-life balance, especially in terms of work-load, flexibility, and/ or efficiency is essential in understanding whether science has enhanced or deteriorated work-life balance. Such an examination was conducted by Jacukowicz and Merecz-Kot (2020), who explored the differences between work-life balance among on-line worke...