The valuation of care in society: A social equation of care
Keywords:
care work, gender, gender inequality, patriarchyAbstract
This article analyzes the social valuation of care work within the context of contemporary capitalism, emphasizing its articulation with the patriarchal structures that organize social life. From a qualitative and interpretive approach, the study examines the experiences of 45 women through semi-structured interviews, aiming to understand the meanings they attribute to their care practices. The findings show that care does not respond to a single logic, but rather to a complex set of motivations, including obligation, gender norms, affection, and conviction. Based on these findings, the article proposes the “social equation of care” as an analytical model that articulates subjective and structural dimensions in the study of care. This model suggests that care practices emerge from the dynamic interaction between different motivations, which are deeply shaped by the structural context. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that obligation, gender, and love tend to reinforce the invisibilization and devaluation of care work, while conviction opens possibilities for its re-signification.
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