In sociology, what is the “second shift”? What are its implications, and will it change with time?
The second shift is a concept that was coined by psychologist Arlie Russell Hochschild. It refers to unpaid work done in the home mainly by women after they have completed their 9-5 paid jobs. The second shift includes such responsibilities as cleaning and cooking for the household, bathing and helping their children with homework as well as other family care responsibilities (Gonzales, 2015).
The second shift concept poses a significant burden on the women who are required to take up more tasks after the completion of their daily jobs. The study conducted by Hochschild revealed that since women still shoulder most of the home responsibilities, the lives of the couples were affected. There was more tension in the marriage, there were guilt and inadequacy, their sleep was changed, and it also led to the loss of sexual interest (Hochschild and Machung, 1990).
There is, however, a possibility of the second shift changing with time. Hochschild, in their study, reported that there was a small group of men who opted to help their wives in tackling second shift chores. Gonzales (2015) asserts that it is traditional gender roles that have been responsible for the second shift concept. However, there is a shift in the trend as more couples decide to share workplace and home chores. The continual rise of an egalitarian view of life will see the second shift change to where couples share these duties equally.
References
Gonzales, T. I (2015). The Second Shift and Workplace Policies. Retrieved from https://www.everydaysociologyblog.com/2015/02/the-second-shift-and-workplace-policies.html
Hochschild, A. and Machung, A.. (1990). The Second Shift. New York: Avon Books