The Two-Body Problem: Dual-Career-Couple Hiring Practices in Higher Education [Hardcover]

Lisa Wolf-Wendel (Author), Susan B. Twombly (Author), Suzanne Rice (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 2004

Approximately eight of every ten academics have spouses or partners who are working professionals, and almost half of these partners are academics as well. In fact, dual-career academic couples are so prevalent that "the two-body problem" has become a common way of referring to the situation. Increasingly, intense competition to hire the best faculty forces institutions to assist dual-career couples in finding suitable employment for the accompanying spouse or partner.

The authors of The Two-Body Problem examine policies and practices used by colleges and universities to respond to the needs of dual-career couples within the economic, legal, and demographic contexts of higher education. Using data from an extensive survey of public and private universities as well as in-depth case studies of institutions representing distinctive approaches to this problem, the authors find that the type of institution—its location, size, governance, mission, and resource availability—is a critical factor in determining dual-career employment options. The Two-Body Problem describes various accommodation models in depth and provides valuable information for college and university administrators responsible for hiring faculty and supporting their performance.

(2006)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A useful compendium of how institutions of differing size, type and location are grappling with the dual-career problems... One has the sense of being privy to the kind of uncensored observation that would never show up in official minutes.

(Cynthia Goheen Connection 2004)

Anyone aspiring to be a department chair or provost, or something similar, might do well to at least peruse this book.

(Karen Saxe MAA Online 2004)

As the first comprehensive national study to systematically examine institutional dual-career policies and practices, The Two-Body Problem will interest administrators and faculty looking for ways to balance the needs of institutions with those of increasingly numerous dual-career couples.

(Karen Rowan On Campus with Women 2004)

The Two-Body Problem is based on sound scholarship and will be a valuable contribution to higher education policy development and the literature on the academic profession. It will be of greatest interest to college and university administrators, serving as an easily accessible reference they can return to over and over again as the need arises.

(Roger Baldwin, Michigan State University 2006)

Administrators and policymakers will also find suggestions... about how to develop and implement an accommodation policy.

(Jessica Demovski Adjunct Advocate )

A useful guidebook and a solid, accessible starting point for scholarship on campus couples.

(Lawrence Rodgers Department Chair )

About the Author

Lisa Wolf-Wendel is an associate professor in the teaching and leadership department of the University of Kansas. Susan B. Twombly is a professor in the teaching and leadership department of the University of Kansas. Suzanne Rice is an associate professor in the teaching and leadership department of the University of Kansas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press (January 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801874513
• ISBN-13: 978-0801874512
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,247,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Could not agree more with previous review......, June 22, 2005

By 

Concerned Researcher - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Two-Body Problem: Dual-Career-Couple Hiring Practices in Higher Education (Hardcover)

The lack of concern for GLBT couples in higher education research is appalling. This is particularly true for those who do "research" on faculty and staff at our major institutions. This book might be relevant for the 1970's: it will not do for today's higher education landscape. I enjoyed the book as far as it goes, but it does not go far enough.

1 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Book Lacks Depth and Breadth for Gay/Lesbian Couples, June 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Two-Body Problem: Dual-Career-Couple Hiring Practices in Higher Education (Hardcover)

I want to commend the authors for taking on such an important issue in higher education. The book and each chapter are laid out logically and present useful information for couples in higher education. I do not question what the authors have done in "The Two-Body Problem;" rather, I wonder why little attention is devoted to gay and lesbian couples. A quick scan of the book, readers will not find either parts of or chapters specifically addressing gay and lesbian couples and their issues. Although "same-sex couples" are mentioned in the definition of "academic couples," the authors did not use the words "gay" or "lesbian" anywhere in their discussion, including the index! In my humble judgment, this omission is glaring and subtracts from the book's applicability to higher education in the 21st Century. I understand the authors may equate the issues of all dual couples (heterosexual and gay) similarly. Many are, but several are not. This is where "The Two-Body Problem" falls way short of its goal. These differences deserve more than a simple definition. Given the attention and intensity of debate of gay and lesbian issues on state and national levels in the past few years, I expected the authors to dedicate a good portion of chapters or of the book itself to a thorough discussion of gay and lesbian couples issues. For example, heterosexual, dual-career couples need not worry if their relationship will be recognized by institutions and/or by state/local governments. This is, for many gay and lesbian couples, the determining factor or issue when contemplating a career move for either person, because receiving "couples benefits" is becoming increasingly important as more same-sex couples become parents and raising children.

"The Two-Body Problem" provides helpful and useful information for heterosexual, dual-career couples and a well-grounded foundation for further scholarship on dual-career couples in American colleges and universities, namely gay and lesbian couples. I strongly encourage the authors to revise quickly this edition of their book or begin working on the second edition to complete the scholarly discussion on all dual-career couples in higher education. A thorough discussion of issues specific to same-sex, dual-career couples in higher education is sorely needed.