Arlie Russell Hochschild

Definition

Arlie Russell Hochschild is a prominent American sociologist known for her research on emotions in social life, particularly in the context of family dynamics and gender roles. Her work highlights how societal expectations shape emotional experiences and labor, especially among women balancing work and family responsibilities. This insight has significant implications for understanding changing gender roles and family structures in contemporary society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hochschild introduced the concept of 'emotional labor' in her book 'The Managed Heart', where she examined how emotions are commodified in the workforce.
2. Her research revealed that women often engage in a 'second shift' of unpaid domestic work after their formal employment, highlighting the imbalance in household responsibilities.
3. Hochschild's work emphasizes how societal norms and expectations shape individual emotional experiences, particularly for women navigating career and family life.
4. She argues that emotional labor is essential in professions such as nursing, teaching, and service industries, where managing emotions is part of the job description.
5. Through her studies, Hochschild has shown that changing economic conditions influence family structures and gender roles, leading to evolving expectations for both men and women.

Review Questions

• How does Hochschild's concept of emotional labor relate to the changing dynamics of gender roles within families?
  • Hochschild's concept of emotional labor reveals how women often bear the brunt of emotional management both at work and at home. As women enter the workforce in greater numbers, they take on dual roles, leading to a shift in traditional gender roles. The expectation for women to perform emotional labor while also juggling professional responsibilities highlights the ongoing challenges they face in achieving equity within family dynamics.
• Discuss how Hochschild's findings on the second shift provide insight into modern family structures and responsibilities.
  • Hochschild's findings on the second shift illuminate the persistent inequalities in household labor between men and women. Despite more women working outside the home, many still take on the majority of domestic duties, which impacts family structures. This dynamic can lead to stress and conflict within families, challenging the idea that traditional gender roles have fully evolved in contemporary society.
• Evaluate the broader implications of Hochschild's research on emotional labor for understanding societal expectations of gender and family roles.
  • Hochschild's research offers critical insights into how societal expectations around gender shape individual experiences and family dynamics. By highlighting the concept of emotional labor, she illustrates that traditional roles are not merely about physical tasks but also encompass emotional management. This understanding is vital for addressing gender inequalities, as it calls for a re-examination of how responsibilities are distributed within families and workplaces, ultimately influencing policies and societal norms.

Related terms

Emotional Labor: The process of managing feelings and expressions to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job, often seen in caregiving professions.

Gender Roles: Socially constructed roles that dictate the behaviors, tasks, and responsibilities deemed appropriate for individuals based on their gender.

The Second Shift: A term coined by Hochschild referring to the unpaid domestic labor that women typically perform after their paid work hours.