We discuss the role values and value attainment play in the complex and dyn
amic process of balancing work and family demands. We contend that an indiv
idual experiences conflict between work and family demands because of value
incongruence between that individual and a pivotal family member (i.e., la
ck of value similarity) or because of the incongruent values between that i
ndividual and the organization (i.e., lack of value congruence). We further
argue that work-family conflict leads to job and life dissatisfaction for
individuals because this conflict frustrates the attainment of important wo
rk and family values. We develop and propose a conceptual model, capturing
both work and family values as they relate to work-family conflict, value a
ttainment, and outcomes.