title Freelance journalists facing the challenge of work-life balance
language French
researcher Olivia Rolin
supervisors Anne Lambert, Jean Boutier
with Norbert Elias Centre and EHESS
year 2019
This academic research uses an ethnographic approach to analyze the challenge of a work-life balance for freelance journalists.
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Regarding work-life balance public measures do not adjust to the particularities of freelance journalists in France. The interviewees mentioned a significant need of professional support to home-working which seems ideal and flexible enough to reconcile work and family life but highly impacts women careers.
The high degree of competitiveness on the newspaper market lead freelancers to rely on their life partner for professional issues. Women play a key role in their partner’s activity (proofreading, advice) but men are often in charge of the financial stability at home. Female journalists talked about “a balance between partners” or “a micro-entreprise” which helps them to maintain a social balance with their partner and fit to the modern values of independence and self-sustainability.
The freedom to choose the when and where play an essential role in the decision to be freelancer. This is especially true for the journalists living far from the editorial offices, mostly in Paris, but also for those who want time to care for their children. The “easiest solution” for women is often related to childcare while men choose freelancing for professional comfort. Women do usually work at home, while men tend to prefer co-working space. When they are away, freelance mothers are mostly replaced by nurses instead of fathers. Maternity is a crucial moment for the women’s choice to become freelancer and the coming family organization.
The high demand for digital availability in journalism blurs the borders between work and private life. This “constraint”, as described by the interviewees, is however useful for freelance journalists who want to keep working. The research put in light that women often refuse to meet professional demands to preserve their private life during non-standard hours or free time while men usually comply with them sometimes at the expense of their family.
Differences between men and women can be noticed among journalists over age 40 but this research has put in light a smaller gap among younger generations. Men seem to adjust work to their private life and as a result, the childcare burden appears to be more balanced.