Darren is an ad executive and works 60 hours a week. His stay-at-home wife, Samantha, cooks his meals, cleans and irons his clothes, and hosts dinner parties for him in an effort to help him do well as the breadwinner. These things that Samantha does for her husband are examples of
A reproductive labor
B second shift
C modernity
D cohabitation
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B second shift.
Explanation: The concept of “second shift” refers to the additional unpaid labor performed at home by individuals, typically women, after they complete their paid work outside the home. This term was coined by sociologist Arlie Hochschild in her study of the division of labor within households.
In this case, while Darren works 60 hours a week as an ad executive, his wife, Samantha, handles various domestic responsibilities, such as cooking meals, cleaning, ironing clothes, and hosting dinner parties. These tasks occur after her own day-to-day activities, which are often seen as part of the “second shift” of labor, over and above her own personal or professional obligations. These duties are generally unpaid, yet they are essential to maintaining the household and supporting Darren’s career.
This idea of the second shift is often associated with traditional gender roles, where women tend to take on more of the household duties, even when they are also employed outside the home. Although Samantha’s role is not explicitly labeled as “work,” it contributes to the well-being and success of her husband. This unpaid labor is crucial for Darren to maintain his position as the breadwinner, even though it is often undervalued in economic terms.
The other options do not accurately describe the situation:
- A reproductive labor refers to the work done to maintain and reproduce the workforce, including childbearing, care, and domestic chores.
- C modernity refers to the social, cultural, and technological changes associated with modern society, not domestic labor.
- D cohabitation refers to the act of living together, especially in a romantic partnership, which is not the focus here.
Thus, the term “second shift” best captures the essence of the labor that Samantha is performing in this context.