The decision-making processes of dual-career couples

Abstract

Dual-career couples are a rapidly growing population who face many challenges due to their complicated lifestyle. The qualitative case study method was employed to specifically explore the decision-making processes of three dual-career couples in order to broaden the knowledge base about these couples and to yield information that would facilitate the development of educational and counseling programs to better serve this population. The following methods were used to elicit information from the participants: audiotaped discussions of four career-related scenarios and individual responses to a short values survey. Factors identified in the couples' decision-making processes included money, geography (location), opportunities for career advancement, satisfactory job opportunities for both partners, family, future children, opportunity costs, career and personal happiness, and financial security. Recommendations for future research and suggestions for counselors, educators, and employers were made.