TL;DR:
Diplomatic spouses, primarily wives, face a unique and evolving role characterized by partial incorporation into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) hierarchy. This study explores the experiences of British diplomatic spouses in Brussels, highlighting the ambiguities, challenges, and changing dynamics of their position within the context of the European Community. The desired outcome is to understand how spouses navigate their roles and how the FCO can better support them.
Full Study Reference:
Black, A. (1995). The changing culture of diplomatic spouses: Some fieldnotes from Brussels. Diplomacy & Statecraft, 6(1), 196–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/09592299508405959
One pager Summary:
Partial Incorporation:
Spouses are partially incorporated into the FCO, with privileges and duties tied to their partner’s rank, yet they lack a formal contract or job description.
Changing Role:
The role of diplomatic spouses is evolving, with more emphasis on allowing spouses to work and pursue their own interests. However, ambiguities and informal pressures remain.
Brussels Context:
Brussels presents unique challenges, including long working hours for officers, a large and dispersed diplomatic community, and a lack of strong “esprit de corps” among spouses.
Hierarchy and Ambiguity:
Rank consciousness exists among spouses, despite an official ideology of equality. This creates tensions and competition, particularly in areas like accommodation and social events.
Public vs. Private:
There’s a blurred line between public and private spheres for spouses. Their actions, even in seemingly private settings, can reflect on the mission and their partner’s career.
Independent Interests:
Spouses increasingly seek to pursue their own careers, but this can be difficult due to frequent moves and expectations tied to their partner’s position, especially at higher ranks.
European Influence:
While some spouses working in EC institutions develop a more “European” identity, many British spouses in Brussels maintain a sense of separateness from the broader European community.
Dig Deeper (Long Summary):
Introduction:
- The category “diplomatic spouse” is not uniform and has changed over time.
- The study focuses on British diplomatic spouses in Brussels but also considers the broader European context.
- Recent innovations include allowing spouses to work, join political parties, and receive payment for language exams and some duties.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office: A Culture of Dedication?
The FCO is characterized by a high level of loyalty among officers, despite demanding workloads and sometimes inadequate compensation.
A balance exists between a strict hierarchy and an egalitarian ethos in daily interactions. Two parallel grading streams (fast/A and main/E) create internal tensions and affect morale.
British Diplomatic Spouses in Brussels:
- Brussels is considered an “easy” post, but spouses often experience loneliness and isolation due to long working hours, the dispersed nature of the community, and a lack of strong collective identity.
- The absence of a significant “culture shock” can make it difficult for spouses to establish a sense of place.
- Spouses seconded from other departments may face challenges integrating into the Diplomatic Service culture.
Becoming European or Us versus Them?
- British spouses in Brussels don’t necessarily develop a strong sense of European identity, partly due to their children attending the British School and the perception of British exceptionalism in EC dealings.
- Spouses working in EC institutions may develop closer ties with European colleagues and adopt different cultural norms.
- Differences in attitudes and communication styles exist between British and other European spouses.
Ambiguity and Hierarchy:
- Spouses experience a tension between the formal hierarchy based on their partner’s rank and the informal ideology of equality within the mission.
- Rank consciousness is more pronounced in Brussels due to the lack of frequent, unstructured social interactions.
- Accommodation allocation and social events can become arenas for competition and subtle displays of status.
- The ambassador’s wife plays a crucial but challenging role in maintaining morale, often facing conflicting expectations.
Morality, and Incorporation:
- Maintaining the mission’s “esprit de corps” is seen as a collective responsibility, with spouses playing a key role in social events and welfare activities.
- A sense of “public honour” influences spouses’ behavior, with an emphasis on “doing good works” and upholding the mission’s reputation.
- Charitable work can be a source of personal satisfaction and a way to contribute to the host country.
The Overlap Between Public and Private Spheres:
- The line between official duties and informal obligations is blurred for spouses.
- The “premiss of dedication” suggests an internalized sense of obligation to the Service, even in the absence of a formal contract.
- Entertaining is seen as a way to support one’s partner and express loyalty, but it is not considered a “job.”
Independent Interests:
- Spouse Careers and the European Context Revisited:
- Balancing a spouse’s career with the demands of diplomatic life is a major challenge.
- While there’s growing recognition of spouses’ career aspirations, traditional expectations of prioritizing the officer’s career persist, particularly at senior levels.
- European countries are exploring ways to compensate spouses for career interruptions, such as pension schemes and training grants.
- Finding suitable employment at post can be difficult, and policies promoting spouse employment are not always effectively implemented.
Conclusion:
The role of diplomatic spouses is complex and evolving, marked by ambiguities and paradoxes. While changes are being made to accommodate spouses’ independent interests, the culture of the FCO and the inherent nature of diplomatic life continue to shape their experiences. The study raises questions about the potential for a shared European identity among spouses and the impact of increased contact between different national spouse associations.
Full Study Reference:
Black, A. (1995). The changing culture of diplomatic spouses: Some fieldnotes from Brussels. Diplomacy & Statecraft, 6(1), 196–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/09592299508405959
