News

This story shows several trends in one development.

First, technology makes it possible to work many places not possible before. That isn’t new but the way in which it is playing out in work and family life is.

The second trend is the job insecurity even well-prepared career people are feeling. They will go where the job is without blinking. That was not true before.

The third and newer trend is the role of technology in bridging the emotional distance between the “away” parent and children by enabling them to engage with their children face-to-face or be available at peak stress times for the on-scene parent.

It isn’t recommended. Nothing is as good as being there.

But it may be a reality for couples who must have both paychecks for the safety of their families, regardless of location.

New York Times

…“Families today are undergoing all sorts of strains that didn’t exist before and are simply having to adjust to make things work,” said David Popenoe, co-director of the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University, who says the challenging economy may force more couples into commuter marriages for the sake of a paycheck.

“Reginald C. Richardson, a vice president of the Family Institute at Northwestern University and a lecturer in psychology, agrees. “I think we are going to see more and more commuter marriages in the future, given the global economy and the fact that our technology now makes this more doable,” Dr. Richardson said.

“Emma Child, a partner in the investment banking group of Rose Partnership in London, a financial services and corporate search firm, said that in recent months she had noted a marked increase in the willingness of couples to live in different locations.

“Eighteen months ago anyone searching for a new job would ask to be placed in their current location,” Ms. Child said. “Now they come in and say ‘I am prepared to move,’ even, if necessary, without the family.”

Source:  New York Times, January 4, 2009