‘Gas-Patch dads': experiences at the nexus of work, family, and community contexts

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to take a more inclusive approach to understanding gas-extraction employment and its intersection with family life and community by also examining the experiences of fathers who do not work directly on an oil and gas rig but who are subcontracted to work for the gas industry, often as truck drivers or in construction trades. We analyzed data from semi-structured interviews with fathers who held any Marcellus Shale gas extraction-related (‘gas patch’) job and their wives living in rural Pennsylvania communities. We identified five themes: (a) families felt a connection with the rural community, (b) Marcellus Shale created much-needed job opportunities across the gas patch in the community, (c) Marcellus Shale development improved fathers’ wages, (d) gas-patch dads’ long work hours and schedules meant less family time, and (e) families educated community residents to reduce stigma about the gas industry. Community stigma around the oil and gas industry had negative effects on the family; community acceptance was important for gas-patch workers’ job satisfaction and family life. These findings demonstrate the utility of examining the intersection of family, work, and community contexts in understanding the experiences of workers in controversial jobs and their families.

KEYWORDS:

• Work-family
• parenting
• rural communities
• fathers
• oil and gas industry

Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to the community leaders and parents who generously gave their time to provide us with their views. This work would not otherwise be possible. We also thank Penn State’s Survey Research Center and staff members Kari Whitehead, Larissa Witmer, and Kurt Johnson, as well as interviewers Dave Greer, Ed Golecki, Emily Bloom, and Peg Fischer. We appreciate the assistance of Penn State undergraduate students who transcribed the interviews. Finally, we are grateful for funding from the Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research, Social Science Research Institute, and the Center for Healthy Aging at Pennsylvania State University.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by funding from the Center for Healthy Aging, The Pennsylvania State University; Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research, The Pennsylvania State University; Social Science Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University.

Notes on contributors

Kelly D. Chandler

Kelly D. Chandler is an Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences and Oregon State University. Dr. Chandler’s studies how working conditions, workplace culture, and work-family policies affect the health and daily lives of employees and their families. She examines the implications of work for family processes, including emotional transmission, family routines, and parental socialization. Her Twitter handle is @KellyDChandler

April L. Gunsallus

April Gunsallus is a PhD candidate in Rural Sociology at The Pennsylvania State University. Ms. Gunsallus studies work in rural areas and gender.

Molly A. Martin

Molly A. Martin is an Associate Professor Sociology and Demography at The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Martin’s research examines the intersection of family processes with social, economic and health inequalities.

Kathryn J. Brasier

Kathryn J. Brasier is a Professor of Rural Sociology at Then Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Brasier’s research program focuses on collective action, networks, and public participation related to agricultural, natural resource, and environmental issues.