Lactating Teachers’ Bodily Needs and School Design: A Cultural-Historical Activity Theory Analysis

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 11:45 am - Gold 3
  In Roundtable Session: Teachers, Agency, and Systems: A Cultural-Historical Activity Theory Perspective

Abstract

Drawing from a qualitative study about the experiences of teachers lactating at work, this paper engages cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) as a tool for data analysis to show how the rules of the workplace for teachers and the division of labor for teachers are incompatible with the reproductive labor of pumping at work. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the usefulness of CHAT as a tool to reveal changes that can be made to the professional roles of teachers to make the profession more equitable. It is also to illustrates the plight of lactating teachers as they navigate the rules and design of the profession.

Author

• Elise Toedt, University of Minnesota