Essay topic: How is what is considered work dependent on one’s social position?How is this changing?
You should analyse both:
the changing nature of daily tasks defined as work (care work, office jobs, emotional labour, remote work, etc) as well as
how one’s identity affects one’s relationship with work. This could include gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, race or ethnicity, indigenous background, class status, age, and other factors. (I prefer to focus on gender)
Possible issues to look at:
the rise of precarity and underemployment
emotional and/or aesthetic labour
- segregated occupations
- care work and unpaid labour within the home
racialized or gendered hiring and promotion practices
- changes to income support and welfare
- Use this resource:
- Craig, L, Brown, JE & Jun, J 2020, ‘Fatherhood, Motherhood and Time Pressure in Australia, Korea, and Finland’, SOCIAL POLITICS, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 312–336. ISSN: 10724745
- Cukrowska-Torzewska, E & Lovasz, A 2019, ‘The role of parenthood in shaping the gender wage gap – A comparative analysis of 26 European countries’, SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH, vol. 85, pp. 1–19.
- ISSN: 0049089X, DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.research.2019.102355
- Boeckmann, I, Misra, J & Budig, MJ 2015, ‘Cultural and Institutional Factors Shaping Mothers’ Employment and Working Hours in Postindustrial Countries.’, Social Forces, vol. 93, no. 4, pp. 1301–1333. ISSN: 00377732
Kuhn, S & Stiner, MC 2006, ‘What’s a Mother to Do?’, Modern Anthropology, vol. 47, no. 6, pp. 953–981. ISSN: 1537-5382
WILLIAMS, CL 2013, ‘THE GLASS ESCALATOR, REVISITED: Gender Inequality in Neoliberal Times, SWS Feminist Lecturer’, Gender and Society, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 609–609. ISSN: 08912432
- Structure:
Introduction:
- Introduce the topic area with a general, broad opening sentences
Answer the question with a thesis statement; and provide a summary of ‘road map’ of your essay
Body:
Answer the question by developing a discussion
- Show your knowledge and grasp of material you have read
Offer exposition and evidence to develop your argument
- Use relevant examples and authoritative quotes
Conclusion:
- Restate your answer to the question
Re-summarise the main points and
Include a final, broad statement