Assignment 8

1. According to Hochschild, what is the “Second Shift?”

·         Hochschild defines the second shift as. “the task of striking and restriking the right emotional balance between child, spouse, home, and outside job.”

2. Hochschild argues that families create “myths” about their division of household labor. Name and describe the family MYTH created by Nancy and Evan Holt.

·         The myth created in the Holt family was the “sharing arrangement” of the second shift. While Nancy cleaned the upstairs (including the kitchen, living room and bedrooms), Evan cleaned downstairs which consisted of the garage and storage room for his hobbies.

3. According to Hochschild, what is the purpose of family myths?

·         The purpose of family myths is to make things look fair. “For purposes of accommodating the second shift, then, the Holts' garage was elevated to the full moral and practical equivalent of the rest of the house. For Nancy and Evan, ‘upstairs and downstairs,’ ‘inside and outside,’ was vaguely described like ‘half and half,’ a fair division of labor based on a natural division of their house”

4. How do you expect to divide household labor and child care when you start a family? Please note whether you intend to work full-time, part-time, or stay at home when married and/or when you have young children.

·         I expect to divide household labor and child care directly down the middle. Ideally, I would like to have a dual-income family, where both my husband and I have careers. However, once we have children, I would like to stay home for the first few years of their life. This obviously would entail me taking on the primary role in the second shift.

Assignment 4

1) What does Cherlin mean when he argues that gender differences are built into the system i.e. "society." Give an example from the text of how gender is systematic.

·         Gender differences are built into the system through socialization. From the moment a child is born, they are socialized into the appropriate gender role for their sex. This process of gender identity is learned by example from parents, teachers, peers and the media. Depending on the norms of a particular society, that child will be brought up to fit the preconceived notions of what they feel it means to be a man or a woman. We can conclude from this that behavior preserves identity. For example, if a little boy is playing with a doll and his parents scold him for it (because that’s not what “boys do”) and they replace the doll with a truck instead, they are encouraging stereotypical behavior for a young boy. There are many similar examples that help children categorize appropriate male and female behaviors so they can act accordingly.

2) Give an example of "doing gender" from your own life. Had you ever thought about this idea before?

·         The only reason I have ever thought about the idea of “doing gender” is because I am currently enrolled in a sociology of gender class. It is amazing how we can go through the day with constant interactions that reinforce our gender roles and not even be aware of it. An example from my own life would be from when I went on a missions trip to Guatemala. Our purpose was to build a Sunday School room for a poor community. While I tried to assist in carrying cinder blocks and mixing cement, apparently I was to slow or not as capable as the men. Instead I ended up spending most of the trip taking care of the children and conducting Sunday school because I was “better suited” for that task.

3) From chapters 3 & 6 in the Cherlin text: define sexual identity in your own words. You may paraphrase/summarize Cherlin, but do not directly copy his words.

·         Sexual identity is another way to define ones sense of self. Whether it is heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual, each identity consists of a particular set of feelings, attitudes, and behaviors toward sex.

4) Next give one reason why social constructionists argue that sexual identity or gender are socially constructed.

·         No matter what society is looked at, there will always be a variation in the definition of sexual identity and gender; thus it is socially constructed.  Cherlin provides an example in the book where a man in a Latin American society that partakes in passive homosexual behavior would be considered homosexual, because the passive quality it identified with women. On the other hand, the male penetrating would not be thought of as homosexual because penetrating is associated with masculinity.

5) Last, why is it difficult to find accurate data on sexuality as a researcher? If you were asked to participate in a study on sexuality would you answer truthfully? Would you participate at all? What kinds of things would you want to hear from the researcher about how your privacy would be protected if you did participate?

·         It is difficult to find accurate data on sexuality as a researcher because not everyone’s sexuality coincides with the norms and values of society. If asked, I would participate in a study on sexuality because I am comfortable with my sexuality. However, because it is a private matter I would definitely want my identity to be protected. I would participate as long as I was assured that I would remain anonymous.

Assignment #6

1)      Briefly describe the trend in cohabitation over the past thirty years.

·         Although cohabitation was mainly for those of the lower class back in the day, it has now become acceptable. Cohabitation rates across the board are increasing, mostly among those who plan to marry in the near future.

2)      According to your textbook by Cherlin, cohabitation has three diverse meanings. Please list and    describe these using your own words.

·         1. An alternative way of being single: this meaning suggests that those entering into cohabitation do not have marriage on their minds. It is simply to enjoy the perks of living with your “partner”. This allows them to be free of any legal obligations or commitments, making it easier to end the their partnership if they so desire.

·         2. A testing ground for marriage: Cherlin states that cohabitation is also popular among those who plan to marry soon. This can be used as a “trial marriage”. Partners who are looking to enter into a legally binding relationship want to get a feel of how housework and finical aspects will be shared or divided.

·         3.An alternative to marriage: this definition of cohabitation is more common over seas. These couples live together, have children together, but do not make the legal commitment.

3)      Would you consider cohabitation? Why or why not? If you would consider cohabiting, which of

these meanings coincides with how you might view your own cohabiting relationship.

·         Much to my parents chagrin, I would consider cohabitation. I absolutely agree with the meaning of cohabitation in the sense that it can be used as a testing ground for marriage. I would want to see if the lifestyle of my future husband coincides with mine on a daily basis.

4)      After reading the boxed section on Domestic Partnerships on pages 228-29 in Chap 7 of your textbook, and going over the Powerpoint slides, list 4 of the rights that married couples receive that cohabiting couples want?

·         Being married entitles the couple to many rights that are not available to single people or those who cohabit. One of the benefits to being married would be that they can buy/provide health insurance for their partner through their place of employement. Cohabiters may share a household but they cannot join their income tax return, married couples can.  There is also the right to receive social security benefits and inherit your spouse’s possessions if they were to pass on. And lastly, married couples share custody and responsibility of their children.

5)      Do you believe that cohabiting heterosexual couples should have the same rights as married couples? Why or why not? What if the couple are the same-sex and cannot marry in their state, should they receive the same benefits o married people. Why or why not?

·         I do not believe that cohabiting couples, heterosexual or not, should have the same rights as married couples. I believe those rights help keep the institution of marriage sacred. If those who cohabit also had those rights then no one would marry anymore.  I feel that the privileges should be reserved only for those who are willing to make the lifelong commitment to another.