Arlie Hochschild

Definition

Arlie Hochschild is a prominent sociologist best known for her work on the sociology of emotions and the concept of the 'second shift,' which refers to the dual burden that working women often face in balancing professional responsibilities with domestic duties. Her research sheds light on the complexities of family dynamics, gender roles, and the emotional labor required in both public and private spheres.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hochschild's research revealed that women often take on the majority of household chores and child-rearing responsibilities, even when they work full-time jobs.
2. She introduced the term 'second shift' to describe how working mothers juggle their job responsibilities with additional unpaid labor at home.
3. Hochschild's studies highlight the emotional labor involved in maintaining family relationships and managing household tasks, which often goes unrecognized and unvalued.
4. Her work emphasizes the need for more equitable divisions of labor in families to address gender inequality and promote fairness in household responsibilities.
5. Hochschild advocates for policy changes, such as family-friendly workplace practices, to support working parents in balancing their professional and personal lives.

Review Questions

• How does Hochschild's concept of the 'second shift' illustrate the division of labor in modern households?
  • Hochschild's concept of the 'second shift' highlights the unequal distribution of domestic labor between genders, showing that women often end up working both outside the home and then returning to take on most household responsibilities. This reflects a persistent division of labor where traditional gender roles dictate that women manage home life, even as they pursue careers. This insight is crucial for understanding ongoing gender disparities in family dynamics and the need for changes in how household duties are viewed and shared.
• In what ways does Hochschild's research contribute to understanding gender inequality and power dynamics within families?
  • Hochschild's research provides a deep dive into how emotional labor and domestic responsibilities shape gender inequality within families. By examining how women disproportionately handle both professional and household duties, she reveals underlying power dynamics that favor traditional gender roles. This imbalance often leads to stress and dissatisfaction among women, making it essential to challenge these norms to foster a more equitable distribution of power within familial structures.
• Evaluate how Hochschild’s findings on emotional labor can inform family-friendly workplace policies aimed at supporting dual-earner families.
  • Hochschild's findings emphasize the importance of recognizing emotional labor as a significant component of family life. By understanding that dual-earner families face unique challenges in balancing work and home responsibilities, policymakers can create family-friendly workplace policies that accommodate these needs. For example, flexible work hours, parental leave, and childcare support can alleviate some pressures faced by working parents. These changes could ultimately lead to healthier family dynamics and greater gender equality by allowing both partners to share responsibilities more equitably.

Related terms

Emotional Labor: The process of managing feelings and expressions to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job, particularly in service-oriented roles.

Second Shift: The unpaid domestic work and childcare that women typically undertake after returning home from their paid jobs, highlighting the inequities in household labor.

Gender Roles: Socially constructed roles that dictate the behaviors, responsibilities, and expectations assigned to individuals based on their gender.