| Military families are faced with the arduous task of relocating many times during an active duty service member's career. This phenomenological research study provided rich descriptive data regarding participants' lived experiences by considering a fundamentally unexplored question: What are the lived experiences of active duty Army wives who are employed or seeking employment and affected by tied migration? Findings included a consistent statement indicating that tied migration is experienced largely as a way of life that significantly impacts one's ability to obtain and maintain quality employment for career growth and upward mobility thus placing substantial burden on emotional well-being. Feelings ranged from intense emotional turmoil and fear over the uncertainty of one's future occasioned by frequent and unpredictable relocations, frustration, rejection, punishment, and anger all associated with inability to obtain employment. Interestingly, participants' physical and emotional symptoms associated with their unemployment diminished and they experienced feelings of personal satisfaction and accomplishment when employed in desired position and earned desired wages. It was also experienced by the majority of participants that tied migration influences job and career choice. Some participants used a career lattice to develop successful careers despite the challenges they faced along the way. Through the words of the women who participated in this study, a clear picture was painted that employment is meaningful to them, they want to work, and they want to have an identity of their own. |
