We investigate the way norms regarding the connections between work and family influence the career consequences of being a dual-career academic. We pay special attention to “gender deviants”—men who indicate that their career is secondary to that of their wife’s career, and women who say their career is primary to that of their husband’s. Analyses using survey data from faculty in seven U.S. universities find male gender conformists (men who perceive their career as primary) report fewer negative career consequences than the other groups. Gender deviants have the lowest levels of organizational commitment. Female and male gender egalitarians (ranking their career as equal) report greater organizational commitment. Gender conformity—that is, ranking one’s career and relationship in the manner society expects—benefits men more so than women. We discuss implications for findings, particularly as they relate to recruitment and retention of dual-career academics in higher education institutions.
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