“Unbalanced” by Huang, Lai and Ko
Conference:
Experience Type(s):
Title:
- Unbalanced
Presenter(s):
Description:
“Unbalanced” is an immersive VR simulation that places users in the role of a working mother managing the overlapping demands of childcare, housework, and professional obligations. It reveals the emotional and cognitive toll of caregiving, and the unrecognized caregiving effort that contributes to work-life imbalance. Through real-time stressors—such as a crying infant and time-sensitive household demands—combined with haptic and auditory feedback, the system creates an emotionally charged and physically responsive environment. Users confront the pressures and constant task-switching that define many women’s daily lives, offering both challenge and immersion through play. Endorsed by educators and awarded by Laval Virtual, the project demonstrates how multisensory VR can support inclusive education and public engagement. “︁Unbalanced”︁ offers an innovative approach to express care work and gender equity issues through experiential storytelling, highlighting how immersive technologies can expand the emotional and social dimensions of interactive media.
References:
[1] Toyin Ajibade Adisa, Opeoluwa Aiyenitaju, and Olatunji David Adekoya. 2021. The work–family balance of British working women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Work-Applied Management 13, 2 (2021), 241–260.
[2] Javier Cerrato and Eva Cifre. 2018. Gender inequality in household chores and work-family conflict. Frontiers in psychology 9 (2018), 1330.
[3] Claudia Hupkau and Jenifer Ruiz-Valenzuela. 2022. Work and children in Spain: challenges and opportunities for equality between men and women. SERIEs 13, 1 (2022), 243–268.
