Summary: The Overextended Family

Employment and unemployment can both positively and negatively affect the health of families and individuals. Sometimes, people can find work as a sanctuary from stress from other aspects of their lives, such as family. In “The Overextended Family”, by Arlie Russell Hochschild, Vivian Goodman, a divorced woman, has familial issues. Not only has she already divorced, she seldom sees her boyfriend, Emmanuel, because of work. In addition, she takes in children who have been abused by adults into her home as a place of refuge. Because she has too much on her workload and as a result feels overwhelmed, she finds her workplace to be a refuge for her. Vivian’s coworkers are supportive and always there to help her through her family troubles. In this …show more content…
In “Sick Out of Luck”, by Susan Starr Sered and Rushika Fernandopulle, having a job is almost essential to get covered with health insurance. Finding work that provides health benefits is extremely prized in the United States. For example, Lenny, a low income worker, had a job in the mines that provided health insurance (Susan Starr Sered, “Sick Out of Luck”, 29). However, when the mine he worked at closed, he lost his health coverage and had to find another job. Lenny was able to work again installing telephone lines, and this job required 60 days of work before he could get the health insurance (Susan Starr Sered, “Sick Out of Luck”, 30). Unfortunately,