In: Economics
how do the terms second shift and intensive mothering relate to one another?
Answer: Second Shift: It is describes the labor performed at home in addition to the paid work performed in the formal sector.
Intensive Mothering: defined as a “child-centered, expert-guided, emotionally absorbing, labor-intensive, and financially expensive”. it considered as a full-time job - "a constant responsibility" —at least in a child's early years. It assumes that children require one primary caregiver, that is, the biological or social mother.
Second shift and Intensive Mothering are intimately intertwined and most women maintain both social roles simultaneously, negotiating the boundaries of each every day. Most women cannot even decide to be a "Intensive Mothering" mother or "Second Shift" mother. The public (outside the home) and private (within the home) do not separate easily in the life of a mother or paid worker.