Work and family life balance of female pharmacists: Critical changes in a profession “suitable for women”

In this chapter we present the findings of a qualitative research regarding the work-life balance of women pharmacists, owners of their pharmacy, mothers with children under the age of 18. The findings indicate that the profession of pharmacist, which was for decades regarded as family-friendly, and therefore as a 'female profession', in a period of crisis tends to lose that character. While satisfaction by profession and a relatively balanced family and personal life were creating a positive environment that offered women pharmacists life-satisfaction, the advent and deepening of the crisis made all this to collapse. Their profession no longer offers them neither prestige, nor economic prosperity, nor the joy of offering. Home-related roles become overwhelming, demanding more time than available. The future is uncertain and, for the majority, bleak. A vicious circle is created, generating sentiments of inadequacy, guilt, and anxiety.