People are also working more intensely during their younger years, another difference from just a generation ago. Overall, Florida sees these as positive developments. While there are losses associated with these new workplaces, the growing premium placed on creative endeavors has allowed previously excluded people into the mainstream, and has allowed them to do so without giving up their myriad of interests.

What about the women?

Hochschild's account is not as optimistic as Florida's. For Hochschild, capitalism has indeed resulted in changes in the way people conduct their work and leisure. While Florida sees a major change from a corporate-based to a people-driven capitalism, Hochschild argues that capitalism remains intact. In fact, in American society, capitalism has assumed the dimensions of religion. This can be seen in how "the cathedrals of capitalism" have come to dominate our work and increasingly, our leisure. When not at work, we are shopping, watching television, engaging in planned vacations and similar leisure activities. All these activities are oriented towards another capitalistic pursuit -- consumption.

Hochschild's essay challenges Florida's assertions that the new form of capitalism is more inclusive and allows more opportunities for self-expression and self-fulfillment. As proof, she cites how many aspects of family life have become more grounded in hassle. "With all these activities," writes Hochschild, "family time could be called hurried or crowded." Instead of the workplace changing to accommodate family needs, it seems that the institution of the family is taking on the structured and timed characteristics of the workplace.

Hochschild focuses...

Florida's writings imply that people who are members of the creative class -- male or female -- can reap advantages in terms of time and leisure activities. Hochschild points out, however, that women in the workforce are often constrained by the lack of policies that accommodate their other duties. There is, observes Hochschild, "the overall absence of government or workplace policies that foster the use of parental leave or shorter, more flexible hours."
When it comes to the private sphere of the family, women still face a bind. Far from being able to be a writer/musician/cyclist that Florida envisioned, many women find it virtually impossible to combine their responsibilities as employees and mothers. This contradiction can be seen in how Florida observed that the creative class does its most productive work, while in their thirties. This time frame collides squarely with a woman's most productive years, in terms of childbearing and child-rearing.

What is to be done?

There is much possibility for a combination of these positions. Florida lays a good foundation for how capitalist workplaces could re-orient their policies, to reflect the interests and needs of a growing creative class. However, this is far from enough. The same workplaces should also recognize that the gender divide continues to prevent many members of the female creative class from contributing to the best of their ability. Such basic inequities need to be addressed, in order for a true creative class to flourish. These developments would result in more than advantages just for the creative class - the advantages will be for the entire society to reap.