The Fourth Shift Theory

In 20th century United States, a mid-class woman s first shift was her home. A second shift emerged
when women maintained a family and a job.
A parallel shift of work and family sponsibilities
appeared with a mobile phone and a third shift
arose when women added education to maintaining
home and job. This study illuminates the previous
shifts in association with computer technology and
introduces the fourth shift of computer technology
demands that permeate a woman s life. As the women
expressed the challenges of work, family, career,
and school, a theme emerged that proposes a fourth
shift has been added to a woman s environment. A
nascent feminist communication theory called The
Fourth Shift Theory emerged from the fourth shift
theme s relationship to the patterns of background,
patriarchy, and societal change. Although technology
is not gendered and does have benefits
for women, there are barriers for women that
accompany the fourth shift. The Fourth Shift
Theory asserts that gender-typed computer technology
proficiency is necessary in a woman s world in order
for her to function and manage her responsibilities.

Autorentext
Adonica Schultz Aune has a Ph.D.in Education and has a second Ph.D. in Communication and Public Discourse. She has taught higher education in China, Korea,Taiwan, Norway, and several universities in the United States. Adonica presently lives with her husband and is teaching online courses for the University of North Dakota.

Klappentext
In 20th century United States, a mid-class woman's "first shift" was her home. A "second shift" emerged when women maintained a family and a job. A "parallel shift" of work and family sponsibilities appeared with a mobile phone and a "third shift" arose when women added education to maintaining home and job. This study illuminates the previous shifts in association with computer technology and introduces the "fourth shift" of computer technology demands that permeate a woman's life. As the women expressed the challenges of work, family, career, and school, a theme emerged that proposes a "fourth shift" has been added to a woman's environment. A nascent feminist communication theory called The Fourth Shift Theory emerged from the "fourth shift" theme's relationship to the patterns of background, patriarchy, and societal change. Although technology is not gendered and does have benefits for women, there are barriers for women that accompany the "fourth shift." The Fourth Shift Theory asserts that gender-typed computer technology proficiency is necessary in a woman's world in order for her to function and manage her responsibilities.