Abstract

MORALES, Helda. Between academic life and family life: Challenges and strategies of researchers in southern Mexico . INCI [online]. 2007, vol.32, n.11, pp.786-790. ISSN 0378-1844.

In the context of the international debate surrounding the under-representation of women in the sciences, unleashed by the ex-president of Harvard University, this paper presents a case study from a research center in Southeastern Mexico. Institutional databases tracking academic productivity were analyzed and a survey was conducted among researchers with regard to how they use their time, their degree of satisfaction with work and home life, gender relations, and how they cope with multiple activities. There was no significant difference in productivity between men and women, even though the latter dedicate more time to housework and child care. Both personal and institutional strategies to promote balance between academic and family life, identified in male and female respondants, are discussed. Small changes at the personal and institutional levels can be of major significance for both men and women scientists in Latin American academic institutions.

Keywords : Desarrollo Institucional ; Discriminación ; Familia ; Género en Ciencia ; Productividad .