ROLE CONFLICT AMONG FEMALE MEDICAL CAREER WOMEN: WHO BRIDGES THE GAP?

Abstract

Objectives. This study investigates the conflicting roles of female medical career women in Nigeria. The objectives of the study include: to know who fills the gap as a mother and wife while they are away at work; to know if they provide the needed emotional and psychological support for their families?; to determine if these conflicting roles affect their health and who is to blame? Materials and Methodology. The study was conducted among married female medical doctors in three Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria. The study employed qualitative research method in which data was retrieved through in-depth interviews with 15 participants selected through multi-stage sampling method. Results. Findings revealed that relatives, the school, and caregivers play the role of the female medical career women when they are at work while communication by career women with their families when they are not at home is done through phone calls, text messages, video calls, WhatsApp chats. The majority of the participants is unable to meet up with the role of providing emotional and psychological support for their families because of their busy schedules at work, which also affects their health adversely. Conclusion and Recommendation. Most of the participants interviewed were found unable to effectively occupy their roles as mothers and wives in the family because of their career. The study recommends that, since the role of women in the family cannot be overemphasized and at the same time women are expected to pursue careers of their own choice, women in Nigeria should endeavor to maintain a balance in their roles as career women at work and as wives in the family.

Keywords

• caregivers
• relatives
• female medical doctors
• career women
• role conflict