“I’m on a Rollercoaster”: Women’s Social Construction of Time

ABSTRACT

This study examines how women communicate perceptions of their socially constructed busy lifestyles. Qualitative interview results revealed six themes: 1) busyness is normal; 2) busyness is respected; 3) busyness is voluntary; 4) busyness is not voluntary; 5) busyness is viewed differently by men; and 6) busyness and the value of time. Through varied communication about time, women construct their busy lifestyle and actively live it. The study reveals challenges in the way “women’s time” is negotiated in a busy life that primarily revolves around masculine time.

KEYWORDS:

• Busy
• fast-paced lifestyle
• monochronic vs. polychronic time
• women and time

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their diligent work to help us strengthen this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ann Burnett

Ann Burnett is a Professor in the Communication department and Director of Women and Gender Studies at North Dakota State University. She studies interpersonal and gender communication.

Nancy DiTunnariello

Nancy DiTunnariello is an Assistant Professor at St. John’s University, Staten Island. She studies interpersonal and family communication.

Becky L. DeGreeff

Becky L. DeGreeff is an Associate Professor at Kansas State University, Polytechnic Campus. She studies interpersonal and family communication.