Expatriate accompanying partners: the males speak

This field study of 45 male expatriate accompanying partners in the A sia P acific region explored the issues they face in their unique role. The results showed that these male partners were comfortable with their role in female breadwinner families, although people around them found it difficult to understand their status. Eighty‐five percent of the male partners faced career challenges while accompanying a female expatriate on international assignment, yet only 21% of them received employer‐provided employment assistance. Male partners felt particularly isolated because of their small numbers. The male partners identified their greatest needs as being for male expatriate partner groups and for employment networking contacts.