The Managed Heart

Born on January 15, 1940, in Boston, Massachusetts, Arlie Russell Hochschild is a prominent American sociologist renowned for her pioneering work on emotional labor and its implications. Her upbringing in a family with a Foreign Service background led her to live in various countries, including Israel, New Zealand, and Ghana. This diverse exposure to different cultures influenced her sociological perspective and understanding of human emotions within social contexts.

Hochschild pursued her undergraduate studies at Swarthmore College, graduating in 1962. She earned a master’s degree in 1965 and a PhD in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1969. Her academic journey was marked by a strong interest in the interplay between emotions and social structures, which became the cornerstone of her research and theoretical contributions.

Throughout her career, Hochschild has held a position as a professor of sociology at UC Berkeley, where she is a professor emerita. Her scholarly work is deeply intertwined with her personal experiences and observations, which she meticulously translates into her research. An early exposure to different cultures and social dynamics equipped her with a unique lens through which she examined the nuances of emotional labor.

Her groundbreaking book The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling (1983) introduced the concept of emotional labor. In this seminal work, Hochschild explores how, particularly in the service industry, employers require workers to manage and use their emotions as part of their job roles. To illustrate this, she uses the example of how airlines require flight attendants to display emotions like cheerfulness and calmness even when they do not genuinely feel these emotions.

Hochschild’s work on emotional labor extends beyond theoretical discussions. Her research draws heavily on real-life observations and interviews, which adds credence to her theories and makes them both relatable and applicable. Her ability to connect personal narratives with broader social theories has earned her significant recognition and numerous awards, including honorary degrees from prestigious institutions like Harvard University and the University of Oslo.

Among her notable contributions is the concept of the “second shift,” discussed in her book The Second Shift: Working Families and the Revolution at Home (1989). This work examines the dual burden that working women face: After a full day at work, they return home to a second shift of household and caregiving responsibilities. This idea has become a critical reference point in discussions about gender, work, and family dynamics.

Hochschild’s exploration of emotional labor and its commercialization is not just confined to the workplace but extends to broader societal implications. In her later works, such as The Outsourced Self: Intimate Life in Market Times (2012), she examines how market forces influence personal relationships and emotional lives, which further highlights the pervasive impact of economic structures on human emotions.

Her book Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right (2016) delves into the emotional narratives underlying political divides in the US. By immersing herself in the lives of Tea Party supporters in Louisiana, Hochschild seeks to understand the deep-seated emotions that drive political affiliations, which showcases her commitment to empathetic and immersive sociological research.

Hochschild’s early life, education, and career significantly shaped her scholarly contributions. Her upbringing, extensive academic training, and empathetic approach to research all informed her interest and authority in investigating the connections between emotions and social structures. Hochschild’s work continues to influence and inspire sociologists, providing critical insights into the emotional dimensions of human life and their implications for social justice and equality.