THE IMPACT OF DIFFERING WORK-LIFE BALANCES ON MARRIAGE STABILITY AMONG MARRIED COUPLES
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the impact of differing work-life balances on marriage stability among married couples in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos state. The population for this study comprise all the married men and women in Eti-Osa Local government of Lagos State. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. A sample of 200married men and women were randomly selected from five Local Community Development Area in Eti-Osa Local government in Lagos State. 200 married men and women  formed the sample while simple random sampling technique was used to select married men and women from five Local Community Development Area (Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Eti-Osa East LCDA, Eti-Osa West LCDA and Iru – Victoria Island LCDA) in Eti-Osa Local government in Lagos State from its five Local development Area. A self-developed questionnaire of 40 items was used to collect information from respondents after its validity and reliability (r=0.741) were determined. Six hypotheses were tested in the study while Chi-square and Independent t-test statistical tools were used for hypotheses testing at 0.05 levels of significance. The study revealed the following results: there is significant impact of differing work -life balances on marriage stability, children welfare, career growth and personal health. Also, there is no significant gender difference in the differing work life balances and marriage stability among married couples. In the light of the study`s results, the researchers presented a number of recommendations and proposals the most important of which are:  there is the need for reorientation of couples on the essence of family values. Work may leave you but your spouse and family remain. When work frustrates, spouse and family are the succor. Married people should work in employments that have flexible work schedules and predictable working hours. Employers (Organizations) should have a policy on work life balance and pursue work life balance initiatives that leave flexibility to achieve evenness. Government should mandate the employers to have a policy on work life balance to enable employees live a balanced life. The uncertain economic environment has placed tremendous personal and workplace pressure on employees. The rate of job loss and reduction in disposable income due to outrageous inflation is not helping matter either. Employers should provide a right mix of benefits that are highly valued by the workforce while in engagement and while on exit.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1Â Background to the study
Marriage is a basic institution in every society. In every complete society governed by law, marriage exists as a public legal and not merely a private romantic declaration or religious rite. Hilliard (2007) submits that marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is the recognized social institution, not only for establishing and maintaining the family, but also for creating and sustaining the ties of kinship.As life-long agreement between the couples, marriage is supposed to be a sacred and permanent contract which is assumed to outlive the couples. However, there are diverse issues of conflict that are impacting on marriages in this modern time. Example of such issues is differing work-life balances.Differing work life balances amongst married couples have resulted in the neglect of children welfare, separation or even divorce.
