Work Identity Pause and Reactivation: A Study of Cross-Domain Identity Transitions of Trailing Wives in Dubai

Tatiana S Rowson, Adriana Meyer and Elizabeth Houldsworth
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Tatiana S Rowson: University of Reading, UK
Adriana Meyer: Independent Researcher, Qatar
Elizabeth Houldsworth: University of Reading, UK

Work, Employment & Society, 2022, vol. 36, issue 2, 235-252

Abstract: This study takes a cross-domain identity transition perspective to explore the development of work-related identities by trailing wives in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Biographical-narrative interviews with 28 expatriate wives were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that these women approached their cross-domain identity transition sequentially through a process of work identity pause and reactivation. Gendered family demands and contextual constraints led them to temporarily pause their work identity while adjusting to non-work domain changes. The reactivation of the work identity domain prompted them to redevelop a work identity aligned to their new reality. Four manifestations of identity redevelopment status emerged: hobbyists, adaptors, explorers and re-inventors. For some women, their emerging work identity was just a way to escape the ‘expat wife’ stigma, for others it was an opportunity to develop a new career. This article introduces the concepts of identity pause and reactivation.

Keywords: cross-domain identity transitions; expatriate-accompanying wives; gendered roles; identity pause; identity work; women’s career (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:woemps:v:36:y:2022:i:2:p:235-252

DOI: 10.1177/0950017021993736

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