[WOMEN'S DAY] What is emotional labour?

To celebrate International Women's Day, which falls on March 8th, Bababam is playing Do You Really Know episodes which look at the struggle against inequalities between women and men. All week long, discover ideas and concepts which promote female empowerment.

What is emotional labour?

When we go to work, we get paid a salary for our efforts, to put food on the table, pay the rent and bills and so on. But there’s a lot of other intangible responsibilities in daily life which go unrewarded. Remembering family birthdays, looking after kids or greeting people with a smile, for example. This kind of energy exertion often serves the purpose of addressing others’ feelings, making them comfortable, or simply meeting society’s expectations because we feel we have to. It’s been given the label of emotional labour, and it affects women disproportionately. All week long, we’re discussing themes which demonstrate the ongoing presence of gender inequalities in society.

Simply smiling isn’t too much to ask, is it? Is this a new internet age concept then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here:

[WOMEN'S DAY] What is a false pregnancy?

[WOMEN'S DAY] What is International Women’s Day?

[WOMEN'S DAY] What is benevolent sexism?

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices