The Role of Emotional Labour in Reinforcing Gender Roles in Care Work

Emotional labour, first conceptualized by Arlie Hochschild, refers to the process of managing emotions to align with role expectations. In the realm of unpaid and care work, emotional labour is a critical yet frequently overlooked aspect of caregiving. This study investigates how emotional labour reinforces traditional gender roles, perpetuating systemic inequalities within patriarchal structures. By examining the socio-cultural, economic, and psychological dimensions of emotional labour, the paper sheds light on its role in sustaining gendered expectations and the marginalization of care work. Using feminist theories and intersectional approaches, it argues for the urgent recognition and redistribution of care responsibilities. The study also emphasizes the need for comprehensive policy interventions to address the disproportionate burden of care work placed on women and to challenge the structural inequities inherent in current caregiving norms.