A Review of Books, Studies and Journal Articles Published in the U.S.A. from 1955-1995 Relating to the Sociological Impact of Corporate Relocation on the Family System

Barbara Watts Cummings

ISBN 10: 1581120532 / ISBN 13: 9781581120530

Published by Dissertation.Com. - Do Not Use Dez 1999, 1999

About this Item

Neuware - America is a mobile nation and frequent relocation is a way of life for many corporate families. This qualitative review of literature relating to the sociological impact of relocation on the corporate family appears to show that relocation has short-term and long-term implications for the family system. Relocation is not an isolated event but a process of adjustment over time involving emotional stages similar to the stages of grief and loss. Each family member may experience the relocation differently and progress through the stages at a different rate. This creates a period of disorganization and disorientation for the family similar to a prolonged jet-lag, which I call Relo-Lag(TM). This period of adjustment for the family system is the most frequently cited short-term effect and can last up to two years. Frequent relocations may also precipitate a long-term effect by causing the family system to become too tightly closed. The family may not seek outside help when needed or accept it when offered. Individual family members may experience difficulty with long-term close friendships and relationships outside the family. In addition, children appear to be particularly vulnerable when relocating during the individuation stages, years 3-5 and adolescence, years 13-16. Not all families experience relocation negatively and some families cope well with relocation. Relocation can improve career and financial opportunities for some corporate families, but there may be emotional costs that need to be considered before making a decision to relocate.

Seller Inventory # 9781581120530

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Review of Books, Studies and Journal Articles Published in the U.S.A. from 1955-1995 Relating to the Sociological Impact of Corporate Relocation on the Family System
• Publisher: Dissertation.Com. - Do Not Use Dez 1999
• Publication Date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1581120532
• ISBN 13: 9781581120530
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 216W x 140H x 15D millimeters 216 millimeters width by 140 millimeters height by 15 millimeters depth
• Weight: 331 grams

About this title

Synopsis

America is a mobile nation and frequent relocation is a way of life for many corporate families. This qualitative review of literature relating to the sociological impact of relocation on the corporate family appears to show that relocation has short-term and long-term implications for the family system.

 

Relocation is not an isolated event but a process of adjustment over time involving emotional stages similar to the stages of grief and loss. Each family member may experience the relocation differently and progress through the stages at a different rate. This creates a period of disorganization and disorientation for the family similar to a prolonged jet-lag, which I call Relo-Lag™. This period of adjustment for the family system is the most frequently cited short-term effect and can last up to two years.

Frequent relocations may also precipitate a long-term effect by causing the family system to become too tightly closed. The family may not seek outside help when needed or accept it when offered. Individual family members may experience difficulty with long-term close friendships and relationships outside the family. In addition, children appear to be particularly vulnerable when relocating during the individuation stages, years 3-5 and adolescence, years 13-16. Not all families experience relocation negatively and some families cope well with relocation. Relocation can improve career and financial opportunities for some corporate families, but there may be emotional costs that need to be considered before making a decision to relocate.

About the Author

Cummings received a Bachelor of Science in Education (1962) from Fordham University, married that same year, and began life as a corporate wife. She raised their two children in fourteen different locations including two overseas assignments. During an eight year stay in Belgium she was President of the American Women's Club of Brussels, an overseas organization of 1000+ members, whose primary goal was to help coporate wives adjust to living in a foreign culture. She has been active as a teacher, counselor, and community volunteer and upon completion of her Ph.D. plans to work as an independent consultant for relocating corporate families.