Care and inequalities

The social organization of care is embedded in gender inequality as well as systemic racism and class inequality. Substantial attention has been given to racial and class inequalities in terms of who has disproportionately affected by COVID19, but these inequalities are also reflected in the care sector workforce. Past research has demonstrated persistent patterns of racial and sex segregation within care sector, with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) concentrated in lower level direct care and reproductive care work occupations. Historically we have depended on BIPOC and immigrant women to perform the “dirty work” in caring for others, while nursing and other nurturant health care occupations have been the domain of white women. Research also continues to show that BIPOC care workers at all skill levels continue to face discrimination and racism at work.

Key resources:

Glenn, Evelyn Nakano. 2010. Forced to Care: Coercion and Caregiving. Harvard University Press.  

Wingfield, Adia Harvey. 2019. Flatlining: Race, Work, and Health Care in the New Economy. University of California Press.