They Call It Love: The Politics of Emotional Life

The book "They Call It Love" explores the essential labor of comforting, soothing, providing company, and ensuring people feel well enough to work, which is necessary for capitalism to function. It calls this work "emotional reproduction" and argues that it creates sentimental attachments to social hierarchy and the status quo. To improve our relationships, society must undergo a radical restructuring.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2023
Publisher: Verso Books

The Importance of Emotional Labour

Emotional labour is a vital and often overlooked aspect of our society. It encompasses a wide range of activities that involve providing comfort, support, and companionship to individuals in need. This includes comforting a family member or friend during a difficult time, soothing children who are upset or scared, providing company for the elderly who may feel lonely or isolated, and ensuring that people feel well enough to work. Without emotional labour, capitalism would cease to function.

Who Performs Emotional Labour?

Emotional labour is performed by a diverse range of individuals, including but not limited to caregivers, healthcare workers, teachers, social workers, and volunteers. These individuals are often tasked with the emotional well-being of others, often at the expense of their own. They may work long hours, sacrifice their personal time and energy, and cope with the emotional stress of their work.

How is Emotional Labour Organised?

Emotional labour is often organised in hierarchical structures, with those at the top of the hierarchy having more responsibility and authority than those at the bottom. This can lead to a lack of recognition and compensation for emotional labour, as well as a sense of powerlessness and burnout among those who perform it.

The Impact of Emotional Labour

Emotional labour has a significant impact on individuals and society as a whole. It can lead to emotional exhaustion, burnout, and mental health issues. It can also create sentimental attachments to social hierarchy and the status quo, which can perpetuate inequality and discrimination. Additionally, emotional labour can contribute to the perpetuation of gender roles and stereotypes, as women are often expected to perform emotional labour in the home and men in the workplace.

The Need for Change

To improve the way we relate to one another will require a radical restructuring of society. This includes recognizing the value of emotional labour and providing fair compensation and support for those who perform it. It also involves challenging gender roles and stereotypes and promoting greater equality and diversity in all aspects of society.

In conclusion, emotional labour is a vital and often overlooked aspect of our society. It encompasses a wide range of activities that involve providing comfort, support, and companionship to individuals in need. Without emotional labour, capitalism would cease to function. To improve the way we relate to one another, we must recognize the value of emotional labour and work towards a more equitable and diverse society.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 148 x 216 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839767036