Consequences for Men of Dual Career Marriages: Implications for Organisations

Increasing numbers of men today are partners in dual career marriages. However, the professional and personal consequences of this lifestyle for men′s traditional roles are not yet well understood. Utilising an in‐depth interview methodology, an exploratory research study of 30 dual career partners focused on husbands and wives′ perceptions of the effect of wives′ careers on men. Predominantly positive professional and personal effects for husbands were identified, with men′s ages and the evolution in some marital structures from traditional to non‐traditional as apparent moderators of these outcomes. Specific consequences for men are discussed and implications of the study for organisations′ career development and human resource functions are considered.