1. Why are there so many American married women working? Why are there so many working mothers? How is the United States government dealing with this issue?
2. Why is Second Shift a sociological study and not a psychological analysis of two-job families?
3. Describe the research methodology employed by Hochschild. What are her research findings? How does she explain these findings.
4. Divide into four discussion groups and discuss the second shift, the extra month of work, and the woman with the flying hair from one of the following theoretical paradigms: SYMBOLIC INTERACTION THEORY, EXCHANGE THEORY, CONFLICT THEORY, AND FUNCTIONAL THEORY.
5. How involved are American men in the tasks of child care and housework? Do you expect that men will change their behavior around the house? What social factors might bring about more gender parity relative to household tasks?
6. Is it possible to have it all--family, career, house, friends, and community involvement? What compromises would you make regarding these goals?
7. How realistic are most expectations for two-career couples? What strategies might they employ to deal with the stress and role-overload created by the two-career family lifestyle?
8. What should the government and industry do (if anything) to help solve the day care crisis in America?

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