The Hidden Family Lives of Single Adults Without Dependent Children

This chapter reviews the literature on the family and personal demands of single workers without dependent children. Also discussed are findings from an interview study examining how singles without dependent children manage work and nonwork. Results of both the literature review and interviews suggest that singles without dependent children have a variety of family, relationship, and personal demands, which often compete with work, leading to interrole conflict. Moreover, most interview participants indicated that their role as family member is highly valued, and of greater importance than their work role. Taken together, findings refute the view of many work–family researchers that singles without dependent children “have no family” and argue for their inclusion in studies of the work–family interface.