Nanny's Work and Intimate Labor Experiences

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Questions and Answers

What activity did Ava insist Seally participate in when she was younger?

Reading time

Dance performances (correct)

Baking cookies

Outdoor sports

How did Seally describe her initial experience working as a nanny?

She found it very challenging from the start.

She was unaware of benefits or working hours. (correct)

She had previous experience with multiple families.

She was well-prepared with a lot of training.

What is Mila's age as described in the passage?

One year old

Six months old (correct)

Two years old

Three years old

What clothing does Seally choose for her workdays?

Comfortable clothes Signup and view all the answers

Where does Seally reside in relation to the family she works for?

Nearby in the Bronx Signup and view all the answers

How did other parents perceive Ava when she was a baby?

As the crying baby Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason Seally beams when singing to Mila?

She enjoys her job Signup and view all the answers

What does Seally use to protect her cheeks from Mila's grabbing?

Her hands Signup and view all the answers

What was one method through which enslaved women resisted their conditions during the Civil War?

Wearing accessories or cosmetics belonging to their enslavers Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of slavery on Black women's familial structures?

Their families were often torn apart and sold. Signup and view all the answers

What narrative was constructed to justify the enslavement of African people?

They were believed to be naturally suited for household work. Signup and view all the answers

After the Civil War, how did the dynamics of domestic work change for Black women?

They were expected to continue working for white women, even if paid. Signup and view all the answers

What did Black women fight for after gaining freedom from slavery?

Control over their labor conditions Signup and view all the answers

Angela Davis pointed out that enslaving classes had to release Black women from what?

The myth of femininity Signup and view all the answers

What misconception was held by the ruling class regarding formerly enslaved people's time away from work?

It was seen as a reflection of their laziness. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the societal effects of the division between wealthy employers of domestic workers and the women who performed this labor?

It perpetuated ongoing divisions in class and race. Signup and view all the answers

What does Seally enjoy doing with Mila during playtime?

Naming colors as she interacts with toys. Signup and view all the answers

What was a source of stress for Seally when caring for another baby with allergies?

Navigating the park with other children. Signup and view all the answers

How did Seally manage to negotiate her contract when returning to care for Mila?

She negotiated for better pay and more time off. Signup and view all the answers

What activity did Seally participate in during her youth that related to children?

Writing plays for kids in the community. Signup and view all the answers

How does Seally feel about leaving her children to care for others?

She feels guilty about it. Signup and view all the answers

Which challenge does Seally face as a nanny, particularly in New York City?

Long commutes to work. Signup and view all the answers

How does Seally describe her approach to children's learning?

As learning through play. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception Seally finds about her role as a nanny?

That she is unqualified to make decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Seally indicate is a frustrating aspect of working with some parents?

They often contradict the rules she sets. Signup and view all the answers

What time does Seally typically wake up to start her day?

6:30 a.m. Signup and view all the answers

What did Seally find unfulfilling about housecleaning?

She preferred working with children instead. Signup and view all the answers

What does Seally suggest parents avoid doing with their children?

Comparing them to each other. Signup and view all the answers

How does Seally often manage Mila's sleep routine?

By walking her in circles in a stroller. Signup and view all the answers

What does Seally feel about the use of nanny cams in the homes where she works?

They represent a lack of trust. Signup and view all the answers

What quality of Ava set her apart from most children that Seally had cared for?

Ava was independent and liked to figure things out herself. Signup and view all the answers

How did the coronavirus pandemic impact Seally's work arrangement?

Seally chose to live in during weekdays to avoid public transport. Signup and view all the answers

What was Seally's primary concern regarding the older children she cared for during the pandemic?

Their inability to do schoolwork online. Signup and view all the answers

What common safety measures did domestic workers like Seally take during the pandemic?

Using protective gear and washing hands frequently. Signup and view all the answers

What term did scholars Eileen Boris and Rhacel Salazar Parreñas invent to describe work requiring closeness with others?

Intimate labor Signup and view all the answers

Which ideology has historically contributed to the perception that domestic work cannot be genuine when paid for?

Separate spheres ideology. Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic has historically been predominantly associated with domestic work?

Female, working-class, often racialized individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What misconception about domestic workers is challenged by the text?

They are naturally better at domestic labor due to their social class. Signup and view all the answers

What is one major impact of domestic workers not showing up for work, according to Seally?

Inability for a majority of the workforce to attend to their jobs. Signup and view all the answers

What societal view does the historical concept of 'intimate labor' push against?

That emotional connections are irrelevant in professional environments. Signup and view all the answers

How did the perception of domestic work and labor evolve historically?

It shifted from respected to disrespected roles. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups has been historically linked to the lowest pay in domestic work?

Immigrant workers and racialized groups. Signup and view all the answers

What underlying ideology influences the perception of domestic work as less valuable?

Enlightenment-era splits between mind and body. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationships created through intimate labor?

They blur the lines between affection and obligation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nanny's Work and Experiences

Seally, a nanny, cares for a family's two young children (Ava and Mila), in New Rochelle, NY.
Her work involves daily responsibilities like feeding, playing, and keeping the children occupied.
Seally's work day is long and demanding, including commuting from the Bronx.
She found housecleaning work as frustrating.
Her employers sometimes undo her efforts to establish routines.
She prefers the work with children and finds it fulfilling to watch children grow and learn.
The coronavirus pandemic affected her work, adding challenges.
Increased demands affected her balancing of personal and professional responsibilities.
Seally values her work because she feels it's essential to society.

Intimate Labor

"Intimate labor," a term described by scholars, includes work requiring closeness with others characterized by knowledge about personal information, physical contact, and responsibility for another's well-being.
Intimate labor challenges the boundaries between work for love and work for pay.
The idea of the home and workplace being distinct hostile worlds emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries.
This ideology assumes that paid care cannot be genuine and that love-motivated work is devalued by payment.

Historical Perspectives on Domestic Work

Domestic work has historically been predominantly female, working-class, and racialized.
Women in 16th and 17th Century Europe comprised one-third of the female workforce with domestic service.
Such work has seen significant racialized and gendered divisions.
The concept of certain groups being inherently more suited for domestic work is rooted in historical oppression and prejudice.
Historical oppression of racialized groups was linked to the domestic sphere.
During slavery, Black women's reproduction and lives were controlled for profit.
Post-slavery, Black women continued to be used in domestic work.
Even after gaining freedom, they faced difficulties in their efforts to control the conditions of their work, particularly by avoiding live-in work.

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Description

Explore the challenges and rewards of being a nanny, as illustrated by Seally's experiences in New Rochelle, NY. Learn about the concept of intimate labor and its impact on relationships and responsibilities during demanding times like the pandemic.