Recognizing the true value of the work of caregivers and the ethics of care

In a society like ours, where women's rights have significantly progressed and where there is a certain consensus around gender equality, why do we still notice an overrepresentation of women in the performance of care-related tasks in close caregiving?

The tasks predominantly taken on by women can be grouped under the label of "care," representative of active attention to the needs of others. [1] We wish to explore with you the definition of this English term, in order to demystify the main differences experienced in the caregiving experience among women.

"Care" is a difficult word to translate because it implies two layers of meaning absent from Francophone translations:

This definition of "care" allows us to understand that the typically feminine tasks in close caregiving encompass actions born out of an emotional sense of responsibility towards a loved one and focused on care practices dedicated to well-being. [2]

Yet, why is it predominantly women who feel this fundamental concern for the well-being and care of a loved one?

Through their upbringing and socialization, women are passed on significant stereotypes that attribute to them "innate" caregiving skills. Greatly associated with the principle of the maternal "instinct," they are taught early on values based on a sense of responsibility towards others, concern, care, help, and self-sacrifice. [3] This education and transmission of values lead women to assume the responsibility for the emotional and physical well-being of others. Since this area of competence is largely regarded as natural and innate – in addition to representing unquantifiable emotional work – the caregiving work largely performed by women is greatly under-recognized in our society.

"Care" thus allows us to understand that the tasks in close caregiving primarily occupied by women are not innate, but transmitted through education and the societal values associated with femininity. Paradoxically, by presenting these skills as natural, society has taken for granted and rendered invisible the work of women in the domain of "care."

We believe it is important to highlight these phenomena to strive for a more equitable division of care activities - by recognizing that "care" should be an ethical value transmitted to everyone - but also to highlight better recognition of the extent of the essential work accomplished by caregivers. These caregivers, specialists in "care," perform activities that far exceed the realm of individual feelings to fulfill a highly important societal role. [4] It is time to recognize the real value of these skills, actions, and this emotional posture of active listening to the needs of others that caregivers undertake daily.

Emotional burden: a significant weight!

Tasks related to "care" involve an important and invisible aspect: "constant attention and concern for the expectations, reactions, and emotions of others [resulting] in a permanent and invisible emotional burden [for the caregiver]." [5] This emotional burden can lead to high levels of stress, emotional distress, and burnout. In this regard, 40% of caregivers consider their role involves stressful or very stressful responsibilities, compared to 20% among men. [6]

[1] Catherine Meek-Bouchard, "Les professions de soins en temps de COVID-19: vers une valorisation du care?", Nouvelles pratiques sociales, 32 (1), pp. 375-392
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid. [4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid. [6] Conseil du statut de la femme, "Portrait les proches aidantes et les proches aidants au Québec: analyse différenciée selon les sexes", March 2018.