Redacted for Privacy Abstract Approved
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AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF Susan F. Moon for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development and Family Studies presented on July 9, 1998. Title: Women's Feelings About The Work-Family Interface Of Long-Haul Truck Drivers: Six Days On The Road And He's Gonna Be Home Tonight. Redacted for privacy Abstract approved: Ariisa M. Zvonkovic Long-haul truck drivers are absent from their families for prolonged periods of time. This paper examines the methods trucking families use to remain connected given such absences. Interviews with ten women married to long-haul truck drivers underwent qualitative analysis. Initially, personal profiles were developed to illustrate life experiences of the women. While the trucking industry set the context, the families decided how to cope with the lifestyle. Patterns of coping strategies developed by the families were described by the women. Coping strategies did not result from the efforts of one individual. All family members contributed to it in a dynamic process. One instrumental source of support was the driver's trucking company. Support systems instrumental in helping families utilize coping mechanisms were identified. Women used ambivalent thought to resolve negative emotions. In addition, an environmental analysis that compared the homes of the women and the homes of non-truckers was conducted to determine whether trucking women's home s reflected their lifestyle and attitudes toward their husband's absence. The trucking family engages in an atypical lifestyle, yet their issues are similar to those experienced by families whose husbands and fathers are home ev ry night. Trucking families continually seek to find methods that allow them to ilink of themselves as normative. Women's Feelings About The Work-Family Interface Of Long-Haul Truck Drivers: Six Days On The Road And He's Gonna Be Home Tonight by Susan F. Moon A DISSERTATION submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Presented July 9, 1998 Commencement June 1999 Doctor of Philosophy dissertation of Susan F. Moon presented on July 9, 1998 APPROVED: Redacted for privacy Major Professor, representing Human Development and Family Studies Redacted for privacy frChair of Depa ment of uman Dev lopment and Family Sciences Redacted for privacy Dean of GraduaSchool I understand that my dissertation will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my dissertation to any reader upon request. Redacted for privacy Susan F. Moon, Author ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are many people who have guided and supported me on my "journey over the long-haul." While it is not possible to thank all of these individuals in this rather limited space, several come to mind which deserve formal acknowledgment, and to whom this dissertation is dedicated. To my doctoral committee whose members were: Dr. Alan Sugawara, Dr. Leslie Richards, Dr. Pat Frishkoff, and Dr. Joe Hendricks. Without their helpful critiques, comments, and flexibility in scheduling meetings, this would not have been possible. I especially want to thank Dr. Hendricks for stepping in at the last minute and serving as my Graduate Representative. In particular, I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Anisa Zvonkovic, my major professor, who presented me with learning opportunities that enhanced my studies. I also appreciate her patience, kind methods of persuasion, and the hours she spent reading my revised drafts. To Karla Renfro, who acted as my consultant on the environmental analysis. She not only provided me with valuable insight, she also made data collection fun. From snarling dogs, inquisitive children, patiently watching "stupid pet tricks," and spending hours late at night, in the middle of nowhere, waiting for a prospective participant, my sense of adventure was well matched by her enthusiasm and good humor. To Sandy Frye, whose expertise went a long way toward making my dissertation "beautiful." I always knew that if things got me down, I could just drop by her office, and in no time I would be significantly cheered. To my children, whose understanding when I was not as available to them as they would have liked is much appreciated. I hope that this accomplishment will serve as a model to them, and my grandchildren, in that "it's never too late to make dreams come true." Finally, this dissertation is dedicated to my husband Gene, who when I came home one day and wailed "why me," replied, "why not you?" Without his unconditional love, encouragement, and support this journey would have remained an abstract concept, never to be fulfilled. Thank you, and "I love you more!" TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1 Dispelling The Romantic Myth 2 A Primer On The Trucking Industry And Family Lifestyle 5 Those Big Rigs Are A Menace To Our Roads! 6 Drivers Needed Now! 7 Do I Have To Break Down To Get Home? 8 Women's Work Is Never, Ever, Ever, Done 9 Reflections Upon Trucking: The Author's Reflective Statement 9 CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 14 Families: Long-Haul Truck Drivers 15 Families: The Military and The Emotional Cycle of Deployment 19 Families: Commercial Fishermen 23 Men's Involvement In Family Life 27 Women's Use Of Ambivalence To Resolve Conflicting Emotion 29 The Role and Nature Of Women's Social Support Systems 30 The Home: Establishment Of A Territory 32 Theoretical Rationale 34 Systems Theory 35 Dynamic Systems Theory 37 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page. CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE (continued) Social Exchange Theory 39 Use Of Grounded Theory Versus Established Family Theory 40 Grounded Theory 41 Feminist Research 43 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY 45 Research Design 45 Gathering Qualitative Data From Interviews 47 Gathering Data From Environmental Observations 49 Sampling and Sample Selection: Interviews Of Women Married/Living With Truckers 50 Sampling and Sample Selection- Homes Of Non-Truckers 52 Procedure: Interview 53 Procedure: Environmental Analysis: Homes Of Truck Drivers 54 Procedure: Environmental Analysis: Homes Of Non-Truckers 54 Data Analysis: Oral History 55 Data Analysis: Interview 56 Data Analysis: Home Environment of Truck Drivers 57 Data Analysis: Home Environment of Non-Truckers 58 Data Analysis: Initial Benefits For Research Participants 59 Data Analysis: A Final Thought 59 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page CHAPTER IV: RESULTS OF INTERVIEWS 61 Personal Profiles: Focusing The Lens 61 Life Course Experience: So You're Gonna Marry A Trucker 64 Life Course Encounters Reality: I Married My Trucker 65 Discussion: Life Course and Reality Merge 69 Interviews: Topics and An Additional Theme Emerges 70 Children: Staying Connected From The Road 71 Reconnecting When Dad Gets Home 73 Discussion: Staying Connected As A Family 75 Parenting: From The Road 75 Parenting: When Dad Is At Home 76 Women's Advice: So You're Expecting A Baby? 78 Discussion: Parenting 79 Support Systems: Help Me, I'm Falling! 80 Discussion: Women's Support Systems 82 Trucking Company Support: Don't Do Me Any Favors! 82 Trucking Company Support: When They're Good, They're Very Good 83 Power: I've Got Power! 85 Women's Ideas: I've Been Thinking.. 86 Discussion: Trucking Company Support 87 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page CHAPTER IV: RESULTS OF INTERVIEWS (continued) Ambivalence: Resolving Negative Emotions 88 Discussion: Ambivalence 90 Interview Conclusions: Women's Journeys Over The Long-Haul 91 CHAPTER V: RESULTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 93 The Home Speaks Out 93 Home Environment Of Truck Drivers: It's Mine! 96 Home Environment Of Truck Drivers: My Husband Exists! 97 Home Environment Of Non-Truck Drivers: Not Me I'm No Trucker's Woman, 98 Women's Role In Husband's Exclusion 99 Men's Role In Self Exclusion 104 Women's Role In Husband's Inclusion 105 Discussion: Conclusions 107 CHAPTER VI: LIMITATIONS, IMPLICATIONS, AND FINAL CONCLUSIONS 110 Limitations 110 Implications For Future Research 111 Final Conclusions: Life With Today's Cowboy Trucker 113 BIBLIOGRAPHY 119 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page APPENDICES 125 Appendix A: Oral History 126 Appendix B: Interview Questions 127 Appendix C: Consultant Confidentiality Agreement 128 Appendix D: Human Subjects Approval 129 Appendix E: Thank You Letter .and Newsletter 130 Appendix F: Personal Profiles 133 Appendix G: Descriptions of Truck Driver's Home Environments 164 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1 Biographical Information On Study Participants 62 2 Family Composition of Study Participants 63 3 Comparison: Home Environment of Truck Drivers and Non-Truckers 93 WOMEN'S FEELINGS ABOUT THE WORK-FAMILY INTERFACE OF LONG-HAUL TRUCK DRIVERS: SIX DAYS ON THE ROAD AND HE'S GONNA BE HOME TONIGHT CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION Long-haul truck drivers! They have often been viewed as uncaring oafs who monopolize our freeways and create road hazards for other drivers. They have also been portrayed heroically in songs, books, and movies. Indeed, many people can recount times when truck drivers came to their aid when their cars broke down or were involved in accidents. Often, truck drivers are among the first to reach the scene of an accident and are quick to offer assistance by stabilizing the situation and rendering first aid. Yet they are often perceived as "restless cowboys" who ride off into the sunset after a brief fling without any ties except the ones that bind their loads (Allen & Penn, 1997). The reality is that they are typically hard-working men who view their work as highly skilled and an important factor in America's economy. The ties that bind extend much farther than their loads, as today's truckers, for the most part, have families to whom they are deeply committed. These families depend upon them to not only provide a good income, but also, to be there for them as much as possible.