Arlie Russell Hochschild

Overview:

 

The Managed Heart by Arlie Russell Hochschild is a thought-provoking exploration of emotional labor and its impacts on individuals in the workplace. The book exposes the ways in which workers are expected to manage their emotions to conform to organizational requirements, often at the expense of their own well-being. Drawing on extensive interviews and observations, Hochschild analyzes various professions where emotional labor is prevalent, such as flight attendants, bill collectors, and in-home caregivers. Through her insightful analysis, Hochschild highlights the emotional toll of this work and the mechanisms used by workers to cope with the demands placed upon them.

 

Key Points / Ideas:

 

1. Emotional labor and surface acting:

 

Hochschild introduces the concept of emotional labor, which refers to the management of emotions for organizational purposes. She highlights the prevalence of surface acting, where workers outwardly display emotions that do not genuinely reflect their inner state. This disconnect between the felt and displayed emotions leads to emotional dissonance, which can have negative consequences for workers' well-being.

 

2. Emotional demands and commodification of care:

 

The author examines various professions where emotional labor is central, most notably in care work. She underscores how emotional demands are heightened in jobs that involve managing others' feelings. Caregivers' emotions are often commodified, as they are expected to display empathy and care as part of their job performance. This commodification creates a sense of emotional alienation and disconnection from one's own emotions.

 

3. Emotion-focused and situation-focused coping:

 

Hochschild explores the coping mechanisms adopted by workers to navigate emotional labor. She distinguishes between emotion-focused coping, such as suppressing or faking emotions, and situation-focused coping, where workers seek to modify their work environment or seek support to address emotional demands. These coping strategies have both short-term and long-term effects on workers' well-being.

 

Conclusion:

 

Throughout The Managed Heart, Arlie Russell Hochschild sheds light on the often-overlooked realm of emotional labor and its consequences for workers. By highlighting the dissonance between genuine emotions and displayed emotions, Hochschild challenges our understanding of emotional work and its toll on individuals. Through her rich analysis and compelling narratives, Hochschild invites readers to reflect on the broader social implications of emotional labor and encourages further research in this domain. For those interested in the complex interplay between work, emotions, and society, The Managed Heart offers valuable insights that are sure to provoke further discussion and reflection. Readers seeking similar works may also find value in Deborah Cameron's The Myth of Mars and Venus and Gloria Wekker's White Innocence.