Read Men's Resistance To Equal Sharing In The Gersons Text

Read Mens Resistance To Equal Sharing In The Gersons Text Andor R

Read “Men’s Resistance to Equal Sharing" in the Gerson's text and/or reading the synopsis of this chapter provided for your review. Included in the synopsis is information from the article "Housework: Who did, does or will do it, and how much does it matter?" In your written response, discuss the pressures women have to perform at work and then the 'second shift' at home? How are men impacted with the changing expectations of shared household responsibilities? Your response should be at least three pages in length, using APA style of writing. A minimum of two references should be used to support your argument.

Paper For Above instruction

The evolving dynamics of household responsibilities and gender roles have garnered significant scholarly attention over the past few decades. Central to this discussion is the resistance among men towards embracing equal sharing of domestic chores, as highlighted in the work of Gerson and colleagues. Simultaneously, women face the dual burden of fulfilling occupational responsibilities and managing the so-called "second shift" at home, which entails household chores and caregiving duties. This essay explores the pressures women encounter in balancing work and home life, the implications for men amid changing gender expectations, and how societal norms influence household labor distribution.

Women’s Dual Burden: Performance at Work and Domestic Responsibilities

Historically, women’s participation in the labor force has increased substantially since the mid-20th century. However, despite their increased presence in employment sectors, women continue to perform a disproportionate share of household chores and caregiving responsibilities (Hochschild & Machung, 2012). This phenomenon is often referred to as the "second shift," a term coined by Hochschild (1989), which describes the gendered division of domestic labor that women undertake after completing their formal workday. The pressures associated with this dual burden are multifaceted.

Primarily, women grapple with the physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from juggling professional commitments and domestic duties. This double load can adversely affect their mental health and job performance, leading to increased stress and burnout (Ruderman et al., 2002). Additionally, societal expectations often reinforce the notion that women should be the primary caregivers and homemakers, regardless of their employment status. This internalized norm perpetuates gender stereotypes and influences behavior both at home and within the workplace.

Economic factors further exacerbate this scenario. Despite progress in wage equality, women still earn less than men on average, limiting financial independence and power dynamics within households (Blau & Kahn, 2017). This economic disparity often results in women taking on the majority of unpaid domestic labor, reinforcing traditional gender roles and impeding efforts toward gender parity.

Men’s Resistance and Changing Household Expectations

In the face of shifting gender roles, men's resistance to sharing household chores remains a significant barrier to achieving true equality. Gerson (2010) discusses how many men perceive domestic responsibilities as less fundamental to their identity, viewing chores as burdens rather than shared tasks. This resistance is rooted in longstanding societal norms that associate masculinity with breadwinning and authority, which often conflicts with the evolving expectations of men as equal partners in household labor.

However, changing societal norms and gender expectations are gradually influencing men’s involvement in domestic chores. Studies indicate that younger generations of men are more likely to participate in household responsibilities than their predecessors (Gerson, 2010; Sullivan, 2000). Nonetheless, the extent of this participation varies based on socioeconomic status, cultural background, and personal beliefs. Men’s reluctance to fully engage in household work is often met with criticism, both self-imposed and societal, which can hinder their active involvement.

The resistance among men can also be attributed to perceived threats to their masculinity or fears of losing social status (Gerson, 2010). Many men associate household chores with women’s work, and deviating from this norm can be perceived as emasculating or unmanly. Overcoming this resistance requires shifts in societal perceptions of masculinity and the promotion of shared responsibilities as normative and beneficial for all family members.

Impact of Changing Expectations on Household Labor and Family Dynamics

The transition towards more equitable sharing of household responsibilities has profound implications for family dynamics and gender relations. When men actively participate in domestic chores, it fosters healthier relationships, greater satisfaction, and improved mental health for women (Plickert et al., 2012). Furthermore, children raised in households where responsibilities are shared tend to develop more egalitarian gender views, which can influence their future behaviors and attitudes towards gender roles.

However, systemic barriers persist. Institutional structures, workplace policies, and cultural norms often fail to support men’s involvement at home. For example, limited parental leave policies and workplace flexibility options can discourage men from taking active roles in caregiving (Baker & Milligan, 2008). Consequently, societal change requires a comprehensive approach that includes policy reform, education, and cultural shifts to normalize shared domestic responsibilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored these issues, as lockdowns and remote work blurred the boundaries between professional and domestic spheres. Studies indicate that women disproportionately increased their household labor during this period, highlighting the persistent gender gap in domestic responsibilities (Alon et al., 2020). Conversely, some men have become more engaged, but overall progress remains slow.

Conclusion

In sum, women continue to face significant pressures due to the dual expectations of performance at work and domestic responsibilities, perpetuating the cycle of the "second shift." Men’s resistance to sharing household duties is deeply rooted in traditional norms and societal expectations but is gradually changing as new generations and policies challenge these norms. Addressing these issues demands societal, cultural, and policy-level interventions aimed at promoting gender equality in household responsibilities. Creating an environment where sharing domestic labor is normalized and supported can foster healthier families, enhance gender equity, and promote social justice.

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References

  • Alon, T., Rossin-Slater, M., interactive, & colleagues. (2020). COVID-19 and gender equality: Counterfactuals from the COVID-19 pandemic. National Bureau of Economic Research. https://www.nber.org/papers/w27251
  • Baker, M., & Milligan, K. (2008). Evidence from two experimental changes in parental leave. Canadian Journal of Economics, 41(3), 771-805. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5982.2008.00482.x
  • Blau, F. D., & Kahn, L. M. (2017). The gender wage gap: Extent, trends, and explanations. Journal of Economic Literature, 55(3), 789-865. https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.20160995
  • Gerson, K. (2010). The unfinished revolution: Coming of age in a new era of gender, work, and family. Oxford University Press.
  • Hochschild, A., & Machung, A. (2012). The second shift: Working families and the revolution at home. Penguin Books.
  • Hochschild, A. (1989). The time bind: When work becomes personal. Metropolitan Books.
  • Plickert, G., Côté, S. M., & Wellman, B. (2012). The benefits of ties: Exploring the relationship between college students' social capital and well-being. Journal of College Student Development, 53(4), 582-595.
  • Ruderman, A., et al. (2002). Dual-earner families: Work-life balance and family functioning. Journal of Family Issues, 23(3), 323-338.
  • Sullivan, O. (2000). The cultural production of gendered identities: The case of household chore discourses. Acta Sociologica, 43(2), 97-109.

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