Ten myths about work life balance

The debate over work-life balance has come to prominence quite suddenly both in Spain and elsewhere in Europe. Because of this the discussion has often been plagued by ideas that are ill thought out or even misleading. At times these ideas seem to have more to do with the beliefs and aspirations of the social partners than with the empirical social or economic evidence. Through discussing ten "myths" (in the sociological sense of the term) which frequently arise in the course of this debate, I try to analyse in greater depth what the conciliation of work and family life might comprise, and what are the major difficulties confronting such a conciliation. Finally I reflect on what we might learn form these ten myths.