In 2023, self-identitying Effective Altruists are and have been overwhelmingly men. Drawing inspiration from the works of feminist thinkers, we can explore an approach to household labor or housework by Effective Altruists that challenges gender disparities and promotes equality. One influential feminist thinker is Bell Hooks, Distinguished Professor in Residence at Berea College before her death. She is best known for her writings on race, feminism, and class, known for her exploration of intersectional feminism and the need for transformative relationships. In particular here, “The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love,” which emphasizes the importance of men taking responsibility for their share of domestic labor.
Informed by Hooks’ ideas, let’s consider a couple comprising an effective altruist (EA) man and a partner who may not identify as an EA. In their pursuit of a more equitable distribution of housework, they, the couple implements a decision auction system to allocate household tasks. They begin by jointly identifying the various housework responsibilities, inspired by hooks’ call to challenge gender norms and dismantle patriarchy. These tasks may include cleaning, cooking, childcare, financial management, and other necessary duties that may not otherwise be priorities for the EA.
In the decision auction, both partners, regardless of their gender or ideological affiliation, participate actively. They submit bids, influenced by hooks’ emphasis on transformative relationships and the need for shared responsibility, indicating the amount they are willing to contribute to avoid undertaking specific tasks.
By synthesising hooks’ ideas with this auction mechanism, the couple can consciously works towards creating a more balanced dynamic in their household. The person who submits the lowest bid for a particular task takes on the responsibility, aligning with hooks’ vision of men actively engaging in domestic labor and nurturing transformative relationships.
In this way, the decision auction method, influenced by the ideas of bell hooks and other feminist thinkers, becomes a tangible expression of their ideals and contributes to the ongoing pursuit of gender equality and transformative relationships.
In 2023, self-identitying Effective Altruists are and have been overwhelmingly men. Drawing inspiration from the works of feminist thinkers, we can explore an approach to household labor or housework by Effective Altruists that challenges gender disparities and promotes equality. One influential feminist thinker is Bell Hooks, Distinguished Professor in Residence at Berea College before her death. She is best known for her writings on race, feminism, and class, known for her exploration of intersectional feminism and the need for transformative relationships. In particular here, “The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love,” which emphasizes the importance of men taking responsibility for their share of domestic labor.
Informed by Hooks’ ideas, let’s consider a couple comprising an effective altruist (EA) man and a partner who may not identify as an EA. In their pursuit of a more equitable distribution of housework, they, the couple implements a decision auction system to allocate household tasks. They begin by jointly identifying the various housework responsibilities, inspired by hooks’ call to challenge gender norms and dismantle patriarchy. These tasks may include cleaning, cooking, childcare, financial management, and other necessary duties that may not otherwise be priorities for the EA.
In the decision auction, both partners, regardless of their gender or ideological affiliation, participate actively. They submit bids, influenced by hooks’ emphasis on transformative relationships and the need for shared responsibility, indicating the amount they are willing to contribute to avoid undertaking specific tasks.
By synthesising hooks’ ideas with this auction mechanism, the couple can consciously works towards creating a more balanced dynamic in their household. The person who submits the lowest bid for a particular task takes on the responsibility, aligning with hooks’ vision of men actively engaging in domestic labor and nurturing transformative relationships.
In this way, the decision auction method, influenced by the ideas of bell hooks and other feminist thinkers, becomes a tangible expression of their ideals and contributes to the ongoing pursuit of gender equality and transformative relationships.