A Study on Achieving Work – Life Balance Among Women Teachers in Private Montessori Schools in Chennai City
DHAMODHARAN R - RESEARCH SCHOLAR
Abstract:
Work–life balance has emerged as a significant area of concern in contemporary educational settings due to increasing professional demands and evolving family responsibilities. In the teaching profession, particularly at the early childhood level, educators are expected to perform multiple academic, administrative, and emotional roles that often extend beyond formal working hours. Women teachers in Montessori schools play a crucial role in fostering holistic child development through individualized instruction, continuous observation, and emotional engagement. However, these expectations frequently intensify work pressure and challenge their ability to balance professional and personal responsibilities.
This review paper adopts a narrative review methodology to examine existing literature on work–life balance among women teachers, with specific reference to private Montessori schools. Scholarly articles, books, and research reports published between 2014 and 2024 were sourced from academic databases such as Google Scholar, ERIC, and peer-reviewed journals. Keywords including work–life balance, women teachers, private schools, and Montessori education were used to identify relevant studies.
The review identifies key themes such as workload intensity, extended working hours, role conflict, family responsibilities, institutional support, stress, burnout, and job satisfaction as major determinants of work–life balance. The findings indicate that inadequate organizational support and limited flexibility significantly contribute to work–life imbalance among women teachers.
The paper concludes that promoting work–life balance requires gender-sensitive institutional policies, supportive leadership, and flexible work practices. These measures are essential for enhancing teacher wellbeing, job satisfaction, and the overall quality of early childhood education.
Keywords:
Work–Life Balance, Women Teachers, Montessori Schools, Private Schools, Teaching Profession, Chennai
