Is the emotional opacity of men a social justice issue? In episode 71, Ellie and David break down the concepts of emotional and hermeneutic labor. The notion of emotional labor was originally created to shed light on gendered workplace interactions, but it has since been applied to romantic and other kinds of relationships. Is this expanded use of the term justified? Ellie’s research suggests that the concept of hermeneutic labor may better explain asymmetries of power in romantic relationships between men and women. Hermeneutic labor imbalances are produced by men’s inability to name and interpret their feelings and by the societal expectation that women manage their own emotions and those of their male partners simultaneously. How does Ellie’s research on hermeneutic labor shift our perspective on the issue of gender in emotional work?
Works Discussed
Ellie Anderson, “Hermeneutic Labor: The Gendered Burden of Interpretation in Intimate Relationships Between Women and Men”
Arlie Russell Hochschild, The Managed Heart
bell hooks, The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love
Judith Farr Tormey, "Exploitation, Oppression and Self-Sacrifice"
Ronald Levant, “Desperately seeking language: Understanding, assessing, and treating normative male alexithymia”
Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, “Stoicism (as Emotional Compression) Is Emotional Labor”
Kathi Weeks, "Hours for What We Will: Work, Family, and the Movement for Shorter Hours”
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02/14/23 • 60 min
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Overthink - Emotional Labor
Transcript
Hello and welcome to Overthink.
DavidThe podcast where two philosophy professors talk about exciting topics of relevance to you and us.
EllieI'm your co-host, Dr. Ellie Anderson.
DavidAnd I am Dr. David Peña-Guzmán.
EllieAnd today we are going to be talking about somethin
Emotional Labor Top Questions Answered
What is emotional labor in relationships?
Emotional labor in relationships refers to the effort and work involved in managing and expressing emotions to create a positive emotional environment. It often involves tasks such as listening, empathizing, supporting, and managing conflict.
How do power dynamics and reciprocity impact emotional labor?
Power dynamics and reciprocity play a role in determining whether emotional labor is seen as empowering or exploitative. When there is equality and mutual support in a relationship, emotional labor can be shared and appreciated. However, if power imbalances exist, emotional labor can become burdensome and disempowering for one party.
Why is open communication important in emotional labor?
Open communication is crucial in emotional labor because it allows individuals to express their needs, boundaries, and emotions effectively. It helps foster understanding, empathy, and mutual support in relationships.
What is the origin of the concept of emotional labor?
The concept of emotional labor was originally developed by sociologist Arlie Hochschild. It was initially focused on the workplace, specifically relating to the display of emotions required in certain jobs.
How does emotional labor differ from emotional work?
Emotional labor involves managing and expressing emotions to create a publicly observable display, often associated with certain jobs or relationships. Emotional work refers to the internal processing and management of emotions within oneself.
In what contexts does emotional labor often occur?
Emotional labor can be present in various contexts, including romantic relationships, friendships, family dynamics, and certain professions that require displaying specific emotions to the public.
How does gender influence the division of emotional labor?
Gender plays a significant role in the division of emotional labor. Women are often socialized to perform emotional labor from childhood, while men are encouraged to suppress their emotions. This gendered division places a disproportionate burden on women to attend to emotional needs in relationships.
What is hermeneutic labor in the context of emotional labor?
Hermeneutic labor refers to the labor of interpretation and understanding emotions in intimate relationships. It involves interpreting emotions, clearly conveying them, and finding solutions. Women, in particular, engage in hermeneutic labor in relationships.
How does the demand-withdraw communication pattern affect emotional labor?
The demand-withdraw pattern is a common communication mode, especially in heterosexual relationships, where women present issues and men withdraw. This pattern can create imbalances in emotional labor, as women often bear the burden of addressing and resolving emotional concerns.
What are the consequences of the gendered division of emotional labor?
The gendered division of emotional labor can lead to unequal power dynamics, emotional exhaustion for women, and the devaluation of emotional labor generally. It can perpetuate societal expectations and reinforce the idea that emotional labor is primarily women's responsibility.
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