-
Changes in families and personal relationships: the implications
for a political ethic of care
Fiona Williams Director, ESRC Research Group on Care, Values and
the Future of Welfare (CAVA) University of
[email protected]/cava
-
Families have changed have family values changed too?life after
divorce; motherhood, work and care; non-conventional partnerships;
transnational kinship; collective groups and organizations who
mobilize around parenting and partnering issues.
-
Two interpretations of family changeLoss of commitment and moral
decline
Greater individualization
-
New Labour on Parenting and PartneringPromotion of Adult worker
model: tension work/life balanceGreater focus on parenting: tension
responsibilities or support?Best interests of the child: tension
children as current or future citizens? Acknowledgment of
diversity: tension whos included?
-
Even though you separate or divorce, you still have a
relationship [].looking after the children [] and its water under
the bridge why you got divorced and the financial side, because you
have to consider each others needs really.Smart and Neale, 2003
-
The changing shape and texture of commitment LATS - living apart
together
What makes it work? Probably the fact that we havent moved in
together. Lucy was aware that I wouldnt have been prepared to have
her kids. I quite like the kids butthe family are fairly
argumentativeI would have felt uncomfortable living with it and
that was basically the fundamental reason.Smart and Neale, 2003
-
Sex, love and friendship I think a friendship is for life, but I
dont think a partner is Id marry my friends. Theyd last longer.
the 1960s - the uncoupling of sex from marriage the 1980s and
90s separation of marriage and committed parenthood 2000s -
committed sexual partnership and co-residence no longer important
for some
-
Fairness? Whose fairness?I think pretty much when they split up
they decided that I should spend equal time at both houses or else
it wouldnt really be fair. (Wade and Smart, 2003).
-
The practical ethics of commitment: the compassionate realism of
good enough care fairness, attentiveness to the needs of others,
mutual respect, trust, reparation, being non-judgmental,
adaptability to new identities, being prepared to be accommodating,
and being open to communication.
-
Developing a Political Ethic of Care less anxiety that diverse
living arrangements give rise to moral decline, social instability
or lack of social cohesion.
practical support for people to carry out their commitments, and
to respect and recognize the diversity of commitments people have.
Has to be the right sort of support: non-judgmental, fair,
respectful and practical.
-
Four re-balancing acts Balance the ethic of work with the ethic
of care. Balancing parental responsibilities with support and
voice;Balancing investment in children with respect for
childhood;Protecting diversity from inequality.
-
1. Balance the ethic of work with the ethic of care
Interdependence
Universal
Care is part of citizenship
-
Balancing work and careCare of others: what do we need to meet
our commitments to provide care and support properly for close kin
and friends?
Care of the self: what do we need in terms of time and space for
the maintenance of body, mind and soul?
Care of the World: what support do we need to be able to have a
say, to contribute to, and participate in our communities?
-
time financial supportservices and practical support a social
environment of care
-
2. Balance parental responsibilities with support for
parents
Care, Support and Voice rather than rights and
responsibilities
-
Balancing investment in children with respect for childhood
-
Protect Diversity from Inequality
-
[email protected]/cavaRethinking Families
special conference price7.00 excellent for research and teaching
+Social Policy and Society 3|(4)2004Social Politics 11(2) 2004
Critical Social Policy, 24(3) 2004
