7 Conclusion

The study examines the shifts in feeling rules among participants, particularly parents, and explores the multifaceted consequences of these changes on emotions and expectations in both the context of work and home life. The notion of feeling rules encompasses the expectations regarding emotional expressions and the appropriateness of certain feelings in specific contexts, which has become increasingly relevant in today's evolving societal landscape.
It is suggested that changes in feeling rules will continue to influence daily routines and interpersonal relationships post-pandemic. Temporary closures of workplaces, childcare facilities, and schools have necessitated significant adaptations in established behavioral norms and emotional responses, leading to a reconsideration of what is deemed acceptable or appropriate in both professional and domestic settings.

Hochschild's concept of a "stalled revolution" highlights the persistent issues surrounding gender equity in domestic and professional spaces. This concept became particularly emphasized during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it brought to light the imbalances faced by working women.
- Evidence gathered from participants illustrates that these gender equity issues are perpetuated in the face of societal changes. For instance, Statistics Canada (2020a, 2020b) indicates a notable trend during the pandemic, whereby women disproportionately exited the workforce, reflecting existing disparities in gender roles. Women, often bearing the burden of both childcare and professional responsibilities, faced unique challenges that exacerbated inequalities during this crisis.

The study raises pivotal questions regarding potential shifts in the original objectives of the gender equity revolution since they were first introduced. As societal norms evolve, there is a critical need to reassess the initial goals that aimed to create a more equitable working environment for all genders.
Participants expressed a considerable resistance to the merging of workplace and home life, both in terms of physical workspace and temporal boundaries. This resistance reflects the difficulties associated with balancing work responsibilities and familial obligations, particularly in remote work situations where the lines between personal and professional life often blur.
- There is a growing dissatisfaction with productivity demands, indicating underlying tensions between work responsibilities and family life that have been intensified during the pandemic. Participants voiced that while equal pay and status remain crucial goals, they are increasingly unwilling to endure significant personal and familial sacrifices for these aims, seeking a more balanced and fulfilling existence that honors work-life boundaries.

A noteworthy change has been the increasing acceptance of the existence and needs of children in professional settings. The shift to remote work environments has facilitated the removal of physical barriers that previously separated professional responsibilities from domestic life, leading to a new understanding of the intersections between work and family responsibilities.
- Consequently, the “veil” that previously concealed the day-to-day realities of family obligations from workplace environments has diminished. This has prompted a shift towards more explicit acknowledgment of family-related responsibilities within the structure of returning to office life, creating a demand for policy changes that formally recognize these responsibilities.

The pandemic revealed the capacity of governmental bodies to rapidly implement substantial economic aid, as illustrated by the emergency social assistance programs established in Canada.
This responsiveness has opened new avenues for discussions about basic income guarantees, prompting a significant re-evaluation of social safety nets and challenging traditional economic paradigms. The implications of these discussions extend beyond immediate relief, affecting long-term policy considerations surrounding economic equity and worker rights.

Through candid journal entries collected from workers in Nova Scotia, it became apparent that simultaneous personal and societal adjustments were transpiring, highlighting the interconnectedness of individual experiences and broader societal changes.
- Participants articulated a social reckoning that parallels the adaptation of daily routines and personal values, indicating the profound influence of the pandemic on collective consciousness and individual identities.
The formation of a "new normal" post-pandemic emerges as a concept imbued with radical potential, encompassing a clear understanding of the interconnectedness of personal life with broad systemic changes. This new normal could reshape societal expectations, normalize discussions around mental health and parental responsibilities, and lead to lasting legislative adjustments aimed at fostering gender equity in the workplace.

The study reaffirms the complexity of social change and 'unsettled lives,' as articulated by Swidler (1986), which introduces variability and challenges existing constructs of feeling rules. Participants grappled with pre-established expectations regarding work and parenting in light of emerging feeling rules that emphasized connection, nurturing, and the overall humanity in work-life integration during the pandemic.
The acknowledgment of these shifting dynamics highlights the necessity for continuous dialogue around emotional expectations and societal structures, ensuring they evolve alongside changing norms and aspirations in both personal and professional domains.