Balancing Student and Worker Roles: Navigating Role Strain and Conflict

Abstract

Role Strain and Role Conflict When social roles conflict with one another, the role takers end up experiencing challenges as they remain torn between which role to take and which one to abandon, especially when both roles have significant impacts. A great example of role conflict remains expressed through the conflicting demands of being a student and a worker simultaneously. Both class time and working time prove essential thus must find ample time to cater to both roles' demands. However, sometimes these roles conflict as I may miss work to study or sit for an exam and maybe miss an important meeting or job trip to work on my assignments or main exams. It is a feeling that leaves me devastated in most instances which best explains the origin of role strain. Role strain remains expressed through stress as the role taker has limited potential to meet the demands and expectations of the set social roles. Using my role as a student and a worker, I experience role strain when my ability to meet both roles' demands remains hampered by either role priority demands. I always experience stress when I miss class for work and vice versa; however, I feel more stressed when I think of the effect my miss would have on my job performance or class performance in the long run. To cope with role conflict and its effects of "role strain," I chose the best time to work on my two demanding roles without causing any conflicts among them. For instance, I may choose to take night shifts at most of my classes, and assignments need my daytime attention. If I only attend classes during weekdays, I choose to concentrate on working over the weekends and studying for my assignment/exams during the night...