A Working Group of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies
Race, Class, and Work-Life Balance:
Exploring Intersectionality in the Domains of Work and Care
The Work-Life Intersectionalities working group considers the ways race, ethnicity and class shape individuals’, families’, and communities’ ability to balance work and care responsibilities. The group aims to bridge both scholarly and practical gaps in knowledge about these “intersectionalities.” Indeed, while there is ample research on race- and class-based residential, educational, and employment segregation and discrimination, for example, comparatively little is known about the work-life experiences of professional working parents of color, or of working parents employed in low-wage, low-skill jobs. Moreover, differences in racial, ethnic, and cultural identity among parents and workers – as well as in their economic and political status – necessarily shape choices and resources for navigating “work” and “life” in ways that are still not well reflected in academic research or public advocacy.
Beginning in Fall 2006, the working group is convening regular meetings with faculty and community members to build agendas for work-life research, education and advocacy that reflect diverse race, ethnicity and class issues. It welcomes participation by faculty and other community members throughout the Seattle area.
In its first year, the group is planning a public roundtable speaker series featuring presentations and discussions with community members and academic researchers, as well as the creation of an email list and website to facilitate communication. In its second year (2007-8), the group will produce a culminating spring conference for academic researchers and community and policy experts to discuss and produce a continued agenda for integrative work-life research and action.
For additional information, or to be added to the Work-Life Intersectionalities contact list to hear about future events, contact Prof. Anna Haley-Lock (2006-7 Coordinator) at 206-616-2862 or annahl@u.washington.edu
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