PROJECT 11
DUE APRIL 22, 2004WORK FOR PAY AND WORK IN THE HOME: WHO DOES
THE HOUSEWORK?
Purpose: This exercise is an assessment of the division of household
labor between a married or cohabiting couple.
Instructions: Using the data sheets at the end of this exercise,
interview two people who live together in a domestic partnership. Both
should be employed at least part-time. First, have each of your respondents
describe themselves and their employment situations by answering the questions
on the Couple Description Form. Then interview each of them individually
about how they share household chores and child care using the Household
Responsibilities Survey.
Summarize your interview by reviewing the text’s material on the division
of labor, family responsibilities, and paid employment, and then answer
the questions below.
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Arlie Hochschild (1989) coined the term "the second shift" to characterize
the fact that women put in almost another 40 hours per week on housework
after working on the job. Compare and contrast your findings. How equitable
is the division of labor in this instance?
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If the couple has children, how did their presence affect the division
of labor?
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How did your respondents divide up chores? For example, was it along the
lines of perceived competence? Traditional gender lines?
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Did the type of job (that is, paid employment) held by each partner affect
the division of labor? If so, how?
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Can you comment on any factors that seemed to lead to problems in the division
of labor? At the same time, were there any factors that seemed to contribute
to satisfaction with the division of labor?
Reference: Hochschild, Arlie (1989). The second shift. New York: Avon.
Couple Description Form
| Partner A |
Age __________ |
Sex _______________ |
| Occupation |
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| On the average, how many hours per week do you work? _____________ |
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| On the average, how many hours per week do you commute?_________________ |
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Other comments
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| Partner B |
Age __________ |
Sex _______________ |
| Occupation |
|
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| On the average, how many hours per week do you work? _____________ |
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| On the average, how many hours per week do you commute?_________________ |
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Other comments
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Household Responsibilities Survey
| 1. How have you and your partner divided up the housework (e.g.,
making
beds, cleaning, dusting, etc.)? |
Partner A:
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Partner B:
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| 2. How have you and your partner divided up the yard work (e.g., mowing
the lawn, weeding, etc.)? |
Partner A:
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Partner B:
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| 3. What arrangements have you and your partner made for household repairs
(e.g., fixing plumbing, painting, etc.)? |
Partner A:
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Partner B:
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| 4. (Ask only if the couple has children.) What arrangements have you
and your partner made for child care (e.g., feeding,
basic care, supervision, transportation, etc.)? |
Partner A:
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Partner B:
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| 5. Who is responsible for keeping track
of social responsibilities (e.g., remembering to buy and send birthday
cards and gifts, planning anniversary parties, etc.)? |
Partner A:
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Partner B:
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| 6. Do you rely upon hired help (e.g., housekeepers, gardeners, etc.)?
For which chores or tasks? |
Partner A:
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Partner B:
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| 7. How did the two of you work out your arrangement? How did you divide
up the work that needed to be done? |
Partner A:
: |
Partner B:
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| 8. (Ask only if the couple has children.) What adjustments, if any,
did becoming parents require you to make? |
Partner A:
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Partner B:
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| 9. What seems to work best about your arrangement? What doesn’t seem
to work? |
Partner A:
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Partner B:
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