Teaching Household Division of Labor and "The Second Shift" Through Couples' Time Use Diary

Abstract

What is the second shift? How do couples decide how to divide household labor? This lesson plan includes a brief lecture and class activity to present the gendered divison of household labor and provides and immersive simulation experience to demonstrate Arlie Hochschild’s concept of the second shift.

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Family

Resource Type(s):

Class Activity

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

I conducted the interviews "talk show" style (see PPT) to great impact. Conduct this however it feels right for you. You could do a simple interviewing of peers, model it as a qualitative in-depth interview, or as a journalist or reporter. Additionally, you can change the conditions on the time-
use diary as you see fit or give half the class a...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Identify key sociological concepts (the second shift).
2. Relate sociological concepts to historical, current, and personal events (men's and women's historical trends on the division of labor, current rhetoric around the division of labor, and any personal connections).
3. Be able to critically engage with sociological and academic sources (PEW graphs and Hochschild's analysis).

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Written reflection with partner
2. Class discussion
3. Exam question (example multiple choice option offered)