An Overview Of The Work-Life Balance Among Working Single Mothers With Adolescent Children at PT. Sinar Pure Foods International In Bitung City

Abstract

The increasing participation of women in the workforce has led to an increasing number of single mothers taking on dual roles as breadwinners and caregivers. Working single mothers face challenges in fulfilling their dual roles as breadwinners and caregivers, particularly when they have adolescent children. This occurs because the dual roles they undertake require active participation and equally strong performance, making the ability to balance work and family responsibilities highly important. This study aims to understand role involvement and conflicts in work and non-work domains among working single mothers with adolescent children at PT. Sinar Pure Foods International in Bitung City. This is a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach conducted with two single mother respondents who have adolescent children aged 13–17, through semi-structured interviews. The results of this study indicate that both respondents are highly engaged in their work and non-work roles; however, differing levels of role conflict and social support result in varying levels of work-life balance. A new finding from this study reveals a unique aspect: adolescents are not always a source of conflict that prevents the achievement of work-life balance; rather, they can also serve as a source of support for single mothers because, at this age, children begin to develop independence and have their own income.