The social organisation of communication in the home of the twenty-first century: an analysis of the future of paper-mail and implications for the design of electronic alternatives

This paper uses ethnographically informed data to analyse how paper-mail supports various social roles within the home, particularly a division of labour whereby women tend to be largely responsible for what may be called "managing the home".

Abstract

This paper reports ongoing investigation into the use and role of paper-mail communications in domestic environments. It uses ethnografivcally informed data to analyse how paper-mail supports various social roles within the home, particularly a division of labour whereby women tend to be largely responsible for what may be called 'manging at home'. Implications for the future of paper-mail are cinsidered, as well as suggestions how email tools may be designed to reflect the patterns of social organisation within the home.