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ABSTRACT
Caring is greatly influenced by patriarchy, capitalism and family ethics that dichotomize the work of men and women. In the Philippines, the work of caring is undertaken largely by women and remains undervalued. In this paper, we examine care work using a feminist lens. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with three poor, elderly, Filipina women from coastal communities. Their narratives illustrate the many challenges and dilemmas they navigate, given their gendered social relations and multiple marginalization. These include their need to subscribe to the cultural norm of being good and loving wives, in order to fulfill expectations of mothering. They also work as Barangay (village) Health Workers (BHWs) despite being old, perform the role of dutiful daughters and cope with their husbands' struggles. At the same time they have to deal with stereotypes and expectations as family providers and therefore place themselves last. This study emphasizes that poverty among poor, elderly women adds to their caring work, which in turn reinforces their marginalization. There is a need, therefore, to re-examine the family as a social construct where power relations may be better negotiated and the costs and benefits of caring can be equitably shared by both women and men.
KEYWORDS Caring; care work; poor; elderly women; coastal communities
ABSTRACT IN FILIPINO
Ang pag-aalaga ay isang gawain na lubos na naiimpluwensiyahan ng patriyarkia, kapitalismo, at etika ng pamilya na pinaghihiwalay ang gawain ng babae at lalaki. Sa Pilipinas, ang pag-aalaga ay isang gawaing hindi binibigyan ng halaga at kadalasang ginagampanan ng mga kababaihan. Sa aming pananaliksik, aming sinuri ang konsepto ng pag-aalaga gamit ang peministang pananaw. Nakalap namin ang mga datos mula sa malalim na pakikipag-usap sa tatlong matatanda at maralitang kababaihang nakatira sa mga baybayin ng Pilipinas. Ang kanilang mga salaysay ay naglalarawan ng mga hamon at suliranin na kanilang dinanas bunga ng kanilang ugnayan na nakabatay sa kanilang gender o tauhin at sa pag-iitsapwera sa kanila. Kalakip ng mga hamong ito ang pangangailangang sumunod sa mga kultural na pamantayan para sa isang uliran at mapagmahal na asawa, ang pagganap sa mga nakatakdang tungkulin ng pagiging ina at lola, ang pagtatrabaho bilang Barangay Health Worker sa kabila ng kanilang edad, ang pagtupad sa papel bilang masunuring anak, at ang pagdala sa suliranin...