The Domestic Division of Labor

The podcast gives us information on a theory referred to as "the second shift". This is the idea that today more women are both mothers as well as members of the workforce than ever before. These women work a daily job and then come home and have to begin their "second shift" so to speak as mother and caretaker. While this is not limited to single parents it is usually found that women still carry the majority of weight in domestic labor despite the belief that it is shared equally today. The working women of today are doing more than that of any generation through their "9-5" responsibilities followed by those to their family and households.

In filling out the "family duties" chart most of the responsibilities fell to my dad. My family is one that practices the untraditional form with a female breadwinner and male caretaker. My mom works hard to earn an income to support my family while my dad plays the role of Mr. Mom. It has been this way nearly my whole life, from the time my mom had to go back to work after maternity leave my father (a journalist) began a career instead as a freelance writer, this decision came about because my mother possessed more editing skills than my father and thus had the chance to make more money in the journalism field than he. For a short time my father did work steadily from home until I was about 7 at which point we moved and he began to take on fewer stories. As long as I can remember my father has been my main caretaker, he drove me to and from school, made my lunch, cooked dinner, helped me with homework, and ferried me to sports and after school activities. I thought very little of this until late in elementary school when I began to notice the majority of people doing the things my father was doing were moms. It didn't bother me in slightest, only made me think. In fact other than the fact that the breadwinner of my family is female and caretaker male they play their roles very traditionally. My mother comes home exhausted and somewhat drawn back, her intimacy with my sister and I is low (at least I feel so) and her stress level high. My father on the other hand is doting, affectionate, and involved. The reversal of their roles while making me aware of the equality women and men should and for the most part enjoy today, however it has not made me career orientated. My big dreams are those more of the 1950's housewife, to have a loving marriage, wonderful children and to be a stay at home mom.