Intersectionality and emergence in time use analysis: possible pathways for gender research and work–family reconciliation policy in Italy

ABSTRACT

Tracking how time is shared between work and family has the potential to unearth implicit gender biases and empowerment processes as women mobilize hidden resources and become aware of their own agency and differences vis-à-vis social groups they belong to or are excluded from. Building upon a time use study of a sample of 100 women working within administrative agencies, firms and social coops within the Italian Mezzogiorno, I examine work–family reconciliation interfaces through the epistemological dimensions of intersectionality and reflexive emergence. I interpret time use findings intersectionally to identify those workers who are vulnerable to time poverty associated with different degrees of freedom and power. Through the lens of reflexive emergence, I seek to grasp the unpredictable, unique and oftentimes invisible empowerment situations women experience in balancing work responsibilities with family care. Intersectionality and reflexive emergence in time use analysis help design work–family reconciliation policies by targeting occupational measures and welfare provisions according to different beneficiaries’ needs in public agencies, private firms and non-profit work organizations.

RÉSUMÉ

L’analyse du temps partagé entre le travail et la famille peut révéler des préjugés et des processus d'autonomisation implicites, car les femmes mobilisent des ressources cachées et prennent conscience de leurs propres capacités et différences vis-à-vis des groupes sociaux auxquels elles appartiennent ou sont exclues. Sur la base d'une étude sur l'emploi du temps d'un échantillon de 100 femmes travaillant au sein d'agences administratives, d'entreprises et de coopératives sociales du Mezzogiorno italien, j'examine les interfaces épistémologiques de l'intersectionnalité et de l'émergence réflexive. J'interprète les résultats de l'utilisation du temps de manière intersectorielle pour identifier les travailleurs qui sont vulnérables à la pauvreté temporelle associée à différents degrés de liberté et de pouvoir. À travers la perspective de l'émergence réflexive, je cherche à saisir les situations d'autonomisation imprévisibles, uniques et souvent invisibles que les femmes éprouvent en équilibrant leurs responsabilités professionnelles et familiales. L'intersectionnalité et l'émergence réflexive dans l'analyse du temps aident à concevoir des politiques de conciliation travail-famille en ciblant les mesures professionnelles et les prestations sociales selon les différents besoins des bénéficiaires dans les agences publiques, les entreprises privées et les organisations à but non lucratif.

KEYWORDS:

• Intersectionality
• emergence
• time use analysis
• work–family interfaces
• occupational welfare policies

MOTS-CLÉS:

• Intersectionnalité
• Émergence
• Complexité
• Analyse de l'emploi du temps
• Égalité entre les sexes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Mita Marra is Associate Professor of Public Policy and Public Administration at the University of Salerno, Italy.

ORCID

Mita Marra http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5145-5051

Notes

1 See the followed Hetus guidelines are available at https://www.h6.scb.se/tus/tus/.

2 Based on interviews with women workers.

3 Based on interviews and time use survey.

4 Based on focus group findings.

5 Based on focus group findings.

6 Another important gender inequality pertains to the percentage of part-time positions, which are not freely chosen by workers. The Italian Statistical Bureau estimates that almost 20% of women do not choose part-time arrangements compared to 11% of men in Italy and 6% as the European Union average (Istat, 2015).

7 Based on interviews with women workers.

8 Based on interview and focus group findings.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by “Progetto ConciliAzioni” [CUP B59G13000330007], within the Regional Operational Program of Campania Region, European Social Fund 2007.2013 – Axis II Employability.