Arlie Russell Hochschild is a renowned sociologist known for her groundbreaking work on the sociology of emotions, particularly the concept of emotional labor. She has explored how emotions are managed and commodified in the workplace, as well as the gendered dimensions of emotional work.
Hochschild’s seminal work, The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling (1983), introduced the concept of emotional labor, which she defined as “the management of feeling to create a publicly observable facial and bodily display” in order to meet the emotional demands of a job.
She argued that emotional labor is a form of labor that is often invisible and undervalued, yet it is crucial to the smooth functioning of many workplaces, particularly in service industries. She identified two types of emotional labor: surface acting, which involves faking emotions to meet the expectations of others, and deep acting, which involves trying to actually experience the emotions that are expected of you.
Hochschild’s work has had a profound impact on our understanding of the emotional dimensions of work and the gendered nature of emotional labor. She has demonstrated how women are often disproportionately burdened with the responsibility for managing emotions in the workplace, and she has challenged the assumption that emotional labor is a natural or innate female trait.
In addition to her work on emotional labor, Hochschild has also explored the global care chain, which refers to the movement of women across borders to provide care for children, the elderly, and the sick. She has examined the gendered and class dimensions of care work, and she has raised critical questions about the exploitation of women in the global care economy.
Hochschild’s work has been widely influential in the fields of sociology, social psychology, and gender studies. Her insights have been used to understand the emotional aspects of work, the gendered divisions of labor, and the challenges of caring for others in a globalized economy.
Here are some of the key ideas of Arlie Russell Hochschild:
- Emotional labor is the management of feeling to create a publicly observable facial and bodily display that meets the emotional demands of a job.
- Surface acting involves faking emotions to meet the expectations of others.
- Deep acting involves trying to actually experience the emotions that are expected of you.
- The global care chain refers to the movement of women across borders to provide care for children, the elderly, and the sick.
- The emotional dimensions of work are often invisible and undervalued.
- Women are often disproportionately burdened with the responsibility for managing emotions in the workplace.
- Emotional labor is a form of labor that can be exploitative.
Hochschild’s work continues to be relevant and important as we grapple with the challenges of managing emotions in a complex and demanding world. Her insights can help us to understand the gendered and global dimensions of care work, and they can inform our efforts to create more equitable and humane workplaces.
Books
Here are some of the most influential books by Arlie Russell Hochschild:
The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling (1983): This seminal work introduced the concept of emotional labor, which has had a profound impact on our understanding of the emotional dimensions of work and the gendered nature of emotional labor.
The Second Shift: Working Families and the Revolution at Home (1989): This book explored the gendered division of labor in American households and the challenges of balancing work and family life.
The Time Bind: When Work Becomes Home and Home Becomes Work (1997): This book examined the increasing blurring of boundaries between work and home life and the impact of this on individuals and families.
The Outsourced Self: Intimate Life in Market Times (2012): This book explored the commodification of intimate relationships and the impact of this on the experience of love and intimacy.
Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right (2016): This book examined the rise of the Tea Party movement and the underlying anger and resentment that fueled it.
These books have been widely read and discussed, and they have had a significant impact on our understanding of contemporary social and cultural issues. Hochschild’s work continues to be influential in the fields of sociology, gender studies, and social psychology.
The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling (1983)
In her groundbreaking work, The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling (1983), Arlie Russell Hochschild introduced the concept of emotional labor, which she defined as “the management of feeling to create a publicly observable facial and bodily display” in order to meet the emotional demands of a job.
Hochschild argued that emotional labor is a form of labor that is often invisible and undervalued, yet it is crucial to the smooth functioning of many workplaces, particularly in service industries. She identified two types of emotional labor: surface acting, which involves faking emotions to meet the expectations of others, and deep acting, which involves trying to actually experience the emotions that are expected of you.
Hochschild’s work has had a profound impact on our understanding of the emotional dimensions of work and the gendered nature of emotional labor. She has demonstrated how women are often disproportionately burdened with the responsibility for managing emotions in the workplace, and she has challenged the assumption that emotional labor is a natural or innate female trait.
Hochschild’s insights have been applied to a wide range of topics, including:
- The emotional labor of customer service workers
- The emotional labor of caregivers
- The emotional labor of teachers
- The emotional labor of parents
Hochschild’s work has also been used to understand the global dimensions of emotional labor, as well as the impact of globalization on the movement of care workers across borders.
Here are some of the key ideas from Hochschild’s book:
- Emotional labor can be a form of labor exploitation.
- The gendered division of emotional labor can lead to gender inequality.
- Emotional labor can have negative psychological effects on workers.
- Emotional labor can be used to commodify human feelings.
The Second Shift: Working Families and the Revolution at Home (1989)
In her seminal work, The Second Shift: Working Families and the Revolution at Home (1989), Arlie Russell Hochschild explored the gendered division of labor in American households and the challenges of balancing work and family life.
Hochschild conducted extensive research on dual-earner couples, interviewing both husbands and wives about their household tasks and responsibilities. She found that despite the growing number of women in the workforce, the majority of domestic work was still being done by women.
Hochschild coined the term “second shift” to describe the additional work that women do at home after they have finished their paid jobs. This unpaid labor includes cooking, cleaning, laundry, childcare, and eldercare.
Hochschild argued that this gendered division of labor is unfair and unsustainable. She called for a “revolution at home” in which men and women share the burden of household work more equitably.
Here are some of the key ideas from Hochschild’s book:
- The gendered division of labor is deeply entrenched in our society.
- Women are still doing the majority of unpaid domestic work, even though they are increasingly participating in the paid workforce.
- This gendered division of labor is unfair and unsustainable.
- We need a revolution at home to achieve greater equity in the distribution of household work.
Hochschild’s work has been instrumental in raising awareness of the challenges faced by working families and the need for a more equitable division of labor. Her insights have been used to develop policies and programs that support working families and promote gender equality.
The Time Bind: When Work Becomes Home and Home Becomes Work (1997)
In her thought-provoking book, The Time Bind: When Work Becomes Home and Home Becomes Work (1997), Arlie Russell Hochschild delved into the intricate relationship between work and personal life, exploring the growing blurring of boundaries between the two spheres and its profound impact on individuals and families.
Through extensive research and compelling anecdotes, Hochschild revealed how the relentless pursuit of productivity and efficiency has led to a pervasive “time bind” in American society, where individuals are constantly striving to maximize their time and minimize their “downtime.” This emphasis on time management has seeped into the home, transforming family time into a valuable resource to be managed and optimized.
Hochschild observed that this blurring of boundaries between work and home life has resulted in a constant state of “work intensification,” where employees are expected to be constantly connected and responsive to work demands, even in their personal time. This has led to increased stress, burnout, and dissatisfaction among workers, as they struggle to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.
Hochschild also highlighted the gendered consequences of the time bind, noting that women are disproportionately affected by the dual demands of work and family. They are often expected to maintain the emotional labor of the household while also juggling demanding careers, leading to feelings of guilt, resentment, and exhaustion.
To address these challenges, Hochschild proposed a “time sovereignty movement,” advocating for a shift in cultural norms and workplace practices to allow for more flexibility and control over time. She urged individuals to reclaim their time and prioritize meaningful experiences over constant productivity.
Key takeaways from Hochschild’s book:
• The time bind is a pervasive phenomenon in American society, driven by the relentless pursuit of productivity and efficiency.
• The blurring of boundaries between work and home life has led to work intensification, increased stress, and dissatisfaction among workers.
• Women are disproportionately affected by the dual demands of work and family, leading to emotional strain and unequal distribution of household labor.
• A “time sovereignty movement” is needed to promote flexibility, control over time, and a shift away from constant productivity.
Hochschild’s work in The Time Bind has sparked important conversations about the relationship between work and personal life, challenging the notion that constant productivity is the ultimate measure of success. Her insights continue to be relevant today, as we grapple with the challenges of balancing work, family, and personal well-being in a time-pressured world.
The Outsourced Self: Intimate Life in Market Times (2012)
In her insightful book, The Outsourced Self: Intimate Life in Market Times (2012), Arlie Russell Hochschild explores the growing commodification of intimate relationships and the impact of this on the experience of love and intimacy in contemporary society.
Hochschild argues that the market has invaded the realm of personal life, with individuals increasingly turning to paid services to fulfill their emotional needs. This outsourcing of intimacy encompasses a wide range of activities, from hiring professional dating services and surrogate mothers to purchasing love tokens and emotional labor from service providers like therapists and surrogate friends.
Hochschild contends that this commodification of intimacy has far-reaching consequences for individuals and society as a whole. It can lead to a sense of detachment, alienation, and a diminished capacity for genuine human connection. It can also perpetuate social inequalities, as those with greater financial resources have access to more intimate experiences than those with fewer means.
To address these challenges, Hochschild proposes a reawakening of “emotional citizenship,” encouraging individuals to cultivate their own emotional intelligence, empathy, and capacity for intimacy. She also advocates for social policies that promote social connection and support for families and communities.
Key takeaways from Hochschild’s book:
• The market has encroached upon the realm of personal life, with individuals increasingly outsourcing intimate care and services.
• This commodification of intimacy can lead to a sense of detachment, alienation, and a diminished capacity for genuine human connection.
• Social inequalities are perpetuated as those with greater financial resources can access more intimate experiences than those with fewer means.
• A reawakening of “emotional citizenship” is needed to cultivate individual emotional intelligence and social connection.
• Social policies should promote social connection and support for families and communities.
Hochschild’s work in The Outsourced Self challenges our assumptions about the nature of intimacy and the role of the market in shaping our personal lives. Her insights provide valuable food for thought as we navigate the complexities of intimate relationships in a marketized society.
Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right (2016)
In her thought-provoking book, Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right (2016), sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild embarked on an in-depth exploration of the Tea Party movement, seeking to understand the underlying emotions and motivations that drive its supporters. Through extensive interviews and observations, Hochschild delved into the lives of working-class Americans in Louisiana’s heartland, uncovering a complex tapestry of anger, mourning, and a sense of betrayal that fueled their political engagement.
Hochschild identified three core emotions that resonated deeply with Tea Party supporters: anger, mourning, and resentment. Anger was directed towards perceived threats to their traditional way of life, such as globalization, immigration, and economic changes. Mourning was rooted in the decline of their communities and the loss of the American Dream. Resentment simmered towards elites, perceived as outsiders who had failed to address their concerns and were dismissive of their struggles.
These emotions converged to create a powerful sense of alienation, as Tea Party supporters felt like strangers in their own land, their values and identity marginalized by a changing society. They perceived themselves as the “real” Americans, upholding traditional values of hard work, family, and patriotism, while others had abandoned these values and betrayed their community’s promise.
Hochschild argued that the Tea Party movement served as a vehicle for expressing and communalizing these emotions, providing a sense of belonging and validation to those who felt marginalized. It offered a platform to voice their grievances, challenge the status quo, and reclaim their perceived rightful place in American society.
To address these underlying emotions, Hochschild proposed a politics of empathy, advocating for understanding and engagement with the concerns of the Tea Party base. Instead of dismissing their grievances as irrational or misguided, she encouraged open dialogue and a willingness to see the world through their eyes.
Key concepts from the book:
• The Tea Party movement is fueled by a complex mix of anger, mourning, and resentment among working-class Americans.
• These emotions stem from a sense of alienation, as they feel like strangers in their own land and their values are marginalized.
• The Tea Party movement provides a platform to express and communalize these emotions, offering a sense of belonging and validation.
• A politics of empathy is needed to understand and engage with the concerns of the Tea Party base, fostering a more inclusive and understanding political discourse.
Hochschild’s work in Strangers in Their Own Land offers a nuanced and empathetic understanding of the Tea Party movement, challenging simplistic narratives and providing valuable insights into the underlying emotions that drive its supporters. Her work highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in bridging divides and fostering a more inclusive and just society.