The Future of Reproductive Labor

The Future of Reproductive Labor

The Future of Reproductive Labor

The Future of Reproductive Labor

The Future of Reproductive Labor

Reproductive labor involves all of the physical and emotional work which produces and cares for individuals, and labor power. It refers to the labor involved in child bearing, the caregiving of elders and differently abled people, and sustaining the domestic unit as a productive labor force. Despite the necessity of this type of work for the survival of humans, and systems of public and private interests, reproductive labor is often unpaid and under-valued.

The future of reproductive labor is uncertain; we can only make speculations based on the conditions of the present. What we do know, is that demographics are changing, corporations influence family planning, and there is a trend towards collectivism and solidarity among families.

With these three foundations as the starting point for investigation, this project speculates on the future of reproductive labor by situating present reproductive issues concerning wages, caregiving and housing into future contexts.

Please see below for the future narratives, and my process documentation and research. 

Reproductive labor involves all of the physical and emotional work which produces and cares for individuals, and labor power. It refers to the labor involved in child bearing, the caregiving of elders and differently abled people, and sustaining the domestic unit as a productive labor force. Despite the necessity of this type of work for the survival of humans, and systems of public and private interests, reproductive labor is often unpaid and under-valued.

The future of reproductive labor is uncertain; we can only make speculations based on the conditions of the present. What we do know, is that demographics are changing, corporations influence family planning, and there is a trend towards collectivism and solidarity among families.

With these three foundations as the starting point for investigation, this project speculates on the future of reproductive labor by situating present reproductive issues concerning wages, caregiving and housing into future contexts.

Please see below for the future narratives, and my process documentation and research. 

Reproductive labor involves all of the physical and emotional work which produces and cares for individuals, and labor power. It refers to the labor involved in child bearing, the caregiving of elders and differently abled people, and sustaining the domestic unit as a productive labor force. Despite the necessity of this type of work for the survival of humans, and systems of public and private interests, reproductive labor is often unpaid and under-valued.

The future of reproductive labor is uncertain; we can only make speculations based on the conditions of the present. What we do know, is that demographics are changing, corporations influence family planning, and there is a trend towards collectivism and solidarity among families.

With these three foundations as the starting point for investigation, this project speculates on the future of reproductive labor by situating present reproductive issues concerning wages, caregiving and housing into future contexts.

Please see below for my process documentation and research. 

Reproductive labor involves all of the physical and emotional work which produces and cares for individuals, and labor power. It refers to the labor involved in child bearing, the caregiving of elders and differently abled people, and sustaining the domestic unit as a productive labor force. Despite the necessity of this type of work for the survival of humans, and systems of public and private interests, reproductive labor is often unpaid and under-valued.

The future of reproductive labor is uncertain; we can only make speculations based on the conditions of the present. What we do know, is that demographics are changing, corporations influence family planning, and there is a trend towards collectivism and solidarity among families.

With these three foundations as the starting point for investigation, this project speculates on the future of reproductive labor by situating present reproductive issues concerning wages, caregiving and housing into future contexts.

Please see below for my process documentation and research. 

Reproductive labor involves all of the physical and emotional work which produces and cares for individuals, and labor power. It refers to the labor involved in child bearing, the caregiving of elders and differently abled people, and sustaining the domestic unit as a productive labor force. Despite the necessity of this type of work for the survival of humans, and systems of public and private interests, reproductive labor is often unpaid and under-valued.

The future of reproductive labor is uncertain; we can only make speculations based on the conditions of the present. What we do know, is that demographics are changing, corporations influence family planning, and there is a trend towards collectivism and solidarity among families.

With these three foundations as the starting point for investigation, this project began with a workshop which speculated on the future of reproductive labor in an automated society, and ways that could help alleviate women from this work.  

Process 1 - Survey

Process 1 - Survey

Process 1 - Survey

Process 1 - Survey

Process 1 - Survey

As part of my research, I sent out a survey to my network with questions about reproductive labor, and held a speculative design workshop. The purpose of the survey was to gain some initial findings on people's relationship with reproductive labor. I asked basic questions such as the participants' employment and marriage status, their experience with pregnancy and childcare, and their thoughts on technological interventions in domestic settings.  

As part of my research, I sent out a survey to my network with questions about reproductive labor, and held a speculative design workshop. The purpose of the survey was to gain some initial findings on people's relationship with reproductive labor. I asked basic questions such as the participants' employment and marriage status, their experience with pregnancy and childcare, and their thoughts on technological interventions in domestic settings.  

As part of my research, I sent out a survey to my network with questions about reproductive labor, and held a speculative design workshop. The purpose of the survey was to gain some initial findings on people's relationship with reproductive labor. I asked basic questions such as the participants' employment and marriage status, their experience with pregnancy and childcare, and their thoughts on technological interventions in domestic settings.  

As part of my research, I sent out a survey to my network with questions about reproductive labor, and held a speculative design workshop. The purpose of the survey was to gain some initial findings on people's relationship with reproductive labor. I asked basic questions such as the participants' employment and marriage status, their experience with pregnancy and childcare, and their thoughts on technological interventions in domestic settings.  

As part of my research, I sent out a survey to my network with questions about reproductive labor, and held a speculative design workshop. The purpose of the survey was to gain some initial findings on people's relationship with reproductive labor. I asked basic questions such as the participants' employment and marriage status, their experience with pregnancy and childcare, and their thoughts on technological interventions in domestic settings.  

Process 2 - Workshop Preparations

Process 2 - Workshop Preparations

Process 2 - Workshop Preparations

Process 2 - Workshop Preparations

Process 2 - Workshop Preparations

The goal of this workshop was to discuss and speculate on the future of reproductive labor and the effects of technology on women's work. The areas discussed were changes in wages, environments, and caregiving, and the social, political, environmental and technological implications of such changes. These findings were then used to create the future narratives and animations. 

I began by creating a series of prototypes of how the workshop could be organized, how the discussion could be moderated, what physical elements would be incorporated and how it would be advertised.

The goal of this workshop was to discuss and speculate on the future of reproductive labor and the effects of technology on women's work. The areas discussed were changes in wages, environments, and caregiving, and the social, political, environmental and technological implications of such changes. These findings were then used to create the future narratives and animations. 

I began by creating a series of prototypes of how the workshop could be organized, how the discussion could be moderated, what physical elements would be incorporated and how it would be advertised.

The goal of this workshop was to discuss and speculate on the future of reproductive labor and the effects of technology on women's work. The areas discussed were changes in wages, environments, and caregiving, and the social, political, environmental and technological implications of such changes. These findings were then used to create the future narratives and animations. 

I began by creating a series of prototypes of how the workshop could be organized, how the discussion could be moderated, what physical elements would be incorporated and how it would be advertised.

The goal of this workshop was to discuss and speculate on the future of reproductive labor and the effects of technology on women's work. The areas discussed were changes in wages, environments, and caregiving, and the social, political, environmental and technological implications of such changes. These findings were then used to create the future narratives and animations. 

I began by creating a series of prototypes of how the workshop could be organized, how the discussion could be moderated, what physical elements would be incorporated and how it would be advertised.

The goal of this workshop was to discuss and speculate on the future of reproductive labor and the effects of technology on women's work. The areas discussed were changes in wages, environments, and caregiving, and the social, political, environmental and technological implications of such changes. These findings were then used to create the future narratives and animations. 

I began by creating a series of prototypes of how the workshop could be organized, how the discussion could be moderated, what physical elements would be incorporated and how it would be advertised.

I decided on the first layout for its clarity and created an iteration that developed the mock-up even further. I wanted to ensure that the workshop was well organized, timed and productive, so I also out a tentative schedule of activities.

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

2. Participants will be asked to fill out a short survey. See below. (10 minutes)

3. Participants will come up with potential changes in wage, the environment and caregiving that could occur in the year 2020, 2030, 2040, and 2050, and arrange them in a grid. See mock up below. (30 minutes.

4. Participants will choose 4 changes of most interest to them and project the potential social, political, environmental and technological consequences of the changes. Then they will think of potential technological interventions to respond to the consequences. See mock up below. (70 minutes)

5. Reflections. (5 minutes)

I decided on the first layout for its clarity and created an iteration that developed the mock-up even further. I wanted to ensure that the workshop was well organized, timed and productive, so I also out a tentative schedule of activities.

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

2. Participants will be asked to fill out a short survey. See below. (10 minutes)

3. Participants will come up with potential changes in wage, the environment and caregiving that could occur in the year 2020, 2030, 2040, and 2050, and arrange them in a grid. See mock up below. (30 minutes.

4. Participants will choose 4 changes of most interest to them and project the potential social, political, environmental and technological consequences of the changes. Then they will think of potential technological interventions to respond to the consequences. See mock up below. (70 minutes)

5. Reflections. (5 minutes)

I decided on the first layout for its clarity and created an iteration that developed the mock-up even further. I wanted to ensure that the workshop was well organized, timed and productive, so I also out a tentative schedule of activities.

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

2. Participants will be asked to fill out a short survey. See below. (10 minutes)

3. Participants will come up with potential changes in wage, the environment and caregiving that could occur in the year 2020, 2030, 2040, and 2050, and arrange them in a grid. See mock up below. (30 minutes.

4. Participants will choose 4 changes of most interest to them and project the potential social, political, environmental and technological consequences of the changes. Then they will think of potential technological interventions to respond to the consequences. See mock up below. (70 minutes)

5. Reflections. (5 minutes)

I decided on the first layout for its clarity and created an iteration that developed the mock-up even further. I wanted to ensure that the workshop was well organized, timed and productive, so I also out a tentative schedule of activities.

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

2. Participants will be asked to fill out a short survey. See below. (10 minutes)

3. Participants will come up with potential changes in wage, the environment and caregiving that could occur in the year 2020, 2030, 2040, and 2050, and arrange them in a grid. See mock up below. (30 minutes.

4. Participants will choose 4 changes of most interest to them and project the potential social, political, environmental and technological consequences of the changes. Then they will think of potential technological interventions to respond to the consequences. See mock up below. (70 minutes)

5. Reflections. (5 minutes)

Reproductive labor involves all of the physical and emotional work which produces and cares for individuals, and labor power. It refers to the labor involved in child bearing, the caregiving of elders and differently abled people, and sustaining the domestic unit as a productive labor force. Despite the necessity of this type of work for the survival of the human race, and systems of public and private interests, reproductive labor is often unpaid and under-valued.

The future of reproductive labor is uncertain; we can only make speculations based on the conditions of the present. What we do know, is that demographics are changing, corporations influence family planning, and there is a trend towards collectivism and solidarity among families.

With these three foundations as the starting point for investigation, this project began with a workshop which speculated on the future of reproductive labor in an automated society, and ways that could help alleviate women from this work.  

The Final Workshop

The Final Workshop

The Final Workshop

The Final Workshop

The Final Workshop

The workshop was a huge success. I had 6 participants through the duration of 2 hours, and we had a fruitful discussion on the future of reproductive labor. I then created a digitized version of the findings, and extracted key points to extrapolate into my final speculative narratives. 

While this was only a semester long project, I iterated on these ideas several times during my MFA. I created a speculative museum exhibition called Reproductive Labor: A Retrospective which was exhibited at NYC Media Lab, and also spoke at the NYU Systems Conference about my research.

I also pursued this topic in my thesis. The first iteration, The Future Archive of Care, explored a speculative archive documenting the history of a fictional city agency called The Department of Reproductive Labor. A Post-Work Renter's Paradise, which approached the topic from the context of a post-work society, became the final iteration of my thesis.

The workshop was a huge success. I had 6 participants through the duration of 2 hours, and we had a fruitful discussion on the future of reproductive labor. I then created a digitized version of the findings, and extracted key points to extrapolate into my final speculative narratives. 

While this was only a semester long project, I iterated on these ideas several times during my MFA. I created a speculative museum exhibition called Reproductive Labor: A Retrospective which was exhibited at NYC Media Lab, and also spoke at the NYU Systems Conference about my research.

I also pursued this topic in my thesis. The first iteration, The Future Archive of Care, explored a speculative archive documenting the history of a fictional city agency called The Department of Reproductive Labor. A Post-Work Renter's Paradise, which approached the topic from the context of a post-work society, became the final iteration of my thesis.

The workshop was a huge success. I had 6 participants through the duration of 2 hours, and we had a fruitful discussion on the future of reproductive labor. I then created a digitized version of the findings, and extracted key points to extrapolate into my final speculative narratives. 

While this was only a semester long project, I iterated on these ideas several times during my MFA. I created a speculative museum exhibition called Reproductive Labor: A Retrospective which was exhibited at NYC Media Lab, and also spoke at the NYU Systems Conference about my research.

I also pursued this topic in my thesis. The first iteration, The Future Archive of Care, explored a speculative archive documenting the history of a fictional city agency called The Department of Reproductive Labor. A Post-Work Renter's Paradise, which approached the topic from the context of a post-work society, became the final iteration of my thesis.

The workshop was a huge success. I had 6 participants through the duration of 2 hours, and we had a fruitful discussion on the future of reproductive labor. I then created a digitized version of the findings, and extracted key points to extrapolate into my final speculative narratives. 

While this was only a semester long project, I iterated on these ideas several times during my MFA. I created a speculative museum exhibition called Reproductive Labor: A Retrospective which was exhibited at NYC Media Lab, and also spoke at the NYU Systems Conference about my research.

I also pursued this topic in my thesis. The first iteration, The Future Archive of Care, explored a speculative archive documenting the history of a fictional city agency called The Department of Reproductive Labor. A Post-Work Renter's Paradise, which approached the topic from the context of a post-work society, became the final iteration of my thesis.

The workshop was a huge success. I had 6 participants through the duration of 2 hours, and we had a fruitful discussion on the future of reproductive labor. I then created a digitized version of the findings, and extracted key points to extrapolate into my final speculative narratives. 

While this was only a semester long project, I iterated on these ideas several times during my MFA. I created a speculative museum exhibition called Reproductive Labor: A Retrospective which was exhibited at NYC Media Lab, and also spoke at the NYU Systems Conference about my research.

I also pursued this topic in my thesis. The first iteration, The Future Archive of Care, explored a speculative archive documenting the history of a fictional city agency called The Department of Reproductive Labor. A Post-Work Renter's Paradise, which approached the topic from the context of a post-work society, became the final iteration of my thesis.