search articles:     from the issue of August 18, 2005         Dissertation travels down roadways of commuting wives Life experience is providing doctoral inspiration for UNL's Karla Mason Bergen. A doctoral candidate and undergraduate adviser for the Department of Communication Studies, Bergen is researching wives whose commute to work keeps them away from home at least three nights a week. For Bergen - a mother of two from Henderson, Neb. - the doctoral choice was simple. It is a topic not previously examined from a communications standpoint, and it's also something she and her family have experienced for the last five years. "For years, men have had jobs that have taken them away from home for days at a time," Bergen said. "No eyebrows were raised because of the perception that men do what they have to do to provide for their families." When Bergen made her choice to continue her college education at UNL, staying with a female friend in Lincoln during the week, rumors began back home. At one point, the Bergen family's minister sat down with her husband and said he was sorry to hear about the couple splitting up. "When you explain to people the situation you get all kinds of teasing and strange questions," Bergen said. "I'm really surprised at the number of people who say they are surprised your husband lets you do this." Guided by her own experiences, Bergen is forming five focus group discussions with a projected total of 50 other commuter wives. Her plan is to follow-up with individual discussions with some of them. "This type of relationship does not fit into our cultural norms and that puts stress on the marriage," Bergen said. "My interest is in the ways that people respond and react to women in commuter marriages." Bergen has found that the majority of those who qualify for the study have a high level of education, and many are academia couples. Previous literature on the topic - two books - dates back to the 1980s. Her study has also attracted the attention of the American Association of University Women, which awarded Bergen a $20,000 fellowship to complete the dissertation. "I want to tell the stories these women are sharing with me," Bergen said. "The time is definitely right for another book." Bergen continues to seek women who qualify for her focus groups. Participants must spend at least three nights a week away from home, been commuting for at least a year, be 19 or older and willing to take part in a one-hour interview. Those who participate will receive $25. For more information, contact Bergen at 472-0650 or karla_bergen@hotmail.com. GO TO: ISSUE OF AUGUST 18 NEWS HEADLINES FOR AUGUST 18 Students roll back to campus CBA chair selected for beltway post UNL takes lead in Antarctica drilling project Dissertation travels down roadways of commuting wives Durham gift to forge school of architectural engineering and construction in Omaha External research dollars hit record level Food Processing Center Hosts Congressmen FROM THE ARCHIVES New tool monitors drought impact nationwide Technical ag college to offer new degree Tommy Lee Goes to College premiers UNL, iDiverse to develop stress resistant crops UNL lands $2 million grant for international physics experiment UNL, World-Herald program shares skills, ideas 732176S34826X