Final answer:
Mary values her work-life balance by working only 30 hours a week and avoiding additional responsibilities to prevent role conflict. This reflects the social construction of reality and the concept of specialization of labor, prioritizing work that aligns with personal values and effectiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mary, who is working only 30 hours a week as an administrative assistant and is avoiding additional responsibilities, likely values her work-life balance. Maintaining this balance allows her to manage her personal life effectively while limiting her work hours. This decision can be contextualized within the concept of the social construction of reality, where individual choices are influenced by personal values and societal expectations.
Given the situation in which a person has multiple roles (a full-time job, family care responsibilities, volunteer work), trying to fulfill these commitments can lead to role conflict. This occurs when the expectations and demands of one role impede the fulfillment of others. Mary's choice to work fewer hours is a strategy to avoid such conflicts and prioritize certain aspects of her life over others.
Comparing Mary's scenario with others, such as an individual specializing in their most productive work, underscores the concept of specialization of labor. In Mary's case, her specialization seems to be maintaining a healthy balance between her professional and personal life, rather than maximizing income or professional achievement. This is akin to an individual choosing to focus on the work they are most effective at, for personal satisfaction or economic efficiency.