Arlie Russell Hochschild

Definition

Arlie Russell Hochschild is a prominent sociologist known for her work on the sociology of emotions and gender relations, particularly in the context of family and labor. Her research examines how women manage their emotions and the social expectations that shape their experiences, especially as they navigate the challenges of balancing work and home life. Hochschild's concepts, such as 'the second shift,' highlight the impact of globalization on gender relations, revealing how economic changes influence women's roles both in the workplace and at home.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hochschild's book 'The Second Shift' explores how working women manage household responsibilities and highlights the imbalance in domestic labor between men and women.
2. She introduced the concept of 'emotional labor,' which explains how workers in service-oriented jobs are expected to manage their emotions to create a positive experience for customers.
3. Hochschild's research shows that globalization has led to changes in gender roles, with women increasingly entering the workforce while still facing traditional expectations at home.
4. Her work reveals how societal norms around gender can perpetuate inequality, as women often bear the brunt of both paid and unpaid labor.
5. Hochschild's findings suggest that policies addressing work-life balance are essential for promoting gender equality in both domestic and professional spheres.

Review Questions

• How does Arlie Russell Hochschild's concept of 'the second shift' illustrate the challenges faced by working women in balancing their professional and domestic responsibilities?
  • Hochschild's concept of 'the second shift' highlights the dual burden that working women carry, where after completing their professional duties, they often return home to take on the majority of household responsibilities. This phenomenon shows how despite women's increasing participation in the workforce due to globalization, traditional gender roles continue to influence their domestic lives. It underscores the need for societal change regarding shared responsibilities at home and recognition of unpaid labor.
• Discuss the implications of Hochschild's research on emotional labor for understanding gender dynamics in the workplace and its connection to globalization.
  • Hochschild's research on emotional labor reveals that many jobs, particularly in service industries, require workers to manage their emotions professionally. This expectation disproportionately affects women, who are often socialized to be more empathetic and nurturing. The global economy has increased demand for emotional labor, pushing more women into these roles while also reinforcing traditional gender norms that associate caregiving with femininity. This creates a cycle where women's labor is undervalued despite its crucial role in maintaining service industries.
• Analyze how Hochschild’s ideas about gendered division of labor can inform policies aimed at promoting gender equality in the context of an evolving global workforce.
  • Hochschild’s insights into the gendered division of labor highlight how structural inequalities persist in both paid employment and unpaid domestic work. To promote gender equality, policies need to address not only equal pay but also shared responsibilities at home. This could involve implementing family leave policies that encourage fathers to participate more actively in childcare or providing subsidized childcare services. By recognizing and addressing these disparities, we can foster a more equitable distribution of labor in an increasingly globalized workforce.

Related terms

The Second Shift: A term coined by Hochschild referring to the unpaid labor that women often do at home after their paid jobs, emphasizing the double burden they face.

Emotional Labor: The process of managing feelings and expressions to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job, often highlighted in Hochschild's analysis of service work.

Gendered Division of Labor: The allocation of different jobs and responsibilities based on gender, which Hochschild argues is reinforced by societal norms and economic structures.