Intersections of Care and Gender in South African Inequality

Gender and care intertwine like DNA strands through South African society, their patterns revealing inequality's deep roots. By examining the social constructs of gender and their impact on caregiving roles, this paper aims to shed light on how these dynamics perpetuate systemic inequality. I shall begin by defining gender and two related concepts: femininity and masculinity. Subsequently, I will define care, emphasizing its nature as a process. Following this, I will explore how care is practiced. Finally, I will illustrate how gender and care intersect and how this intersection elucidates the inequalities prevalent in South African society.

Understanding Gender

Gender, distinct from biological sex, refers to the social dimensions of differences and hierarchies between males and females (Daniels, 2019). It is a construct shaped by societal interpretations and expectations. The concepts of femininity and masculinity, along with the roles and responsibilities assigned to each, are born out of these social interpretations. Masculinity is typically associated with traits such as power, stoicism, strength, and dependability, whereas femininity is linked to emotionality, nurturing, care, vulnerability, and protection. These characterizations are not inherent but rather socially instilled, leading to gender norms that can significantly impact individual identities and societal roles.

Defining Care

Joan Tronto offers a nuanced definition of care, describing it as "a species activity that includes everything we do to maintain, continue, and repair our 'world' so that we can live in it as much as possible." Unlike static interpretations, Tronto views care as a dynamic process that encompasses a series of actions and attitudes. This process-oriented view of care provides a richer understanding of its scope and limitations. Tronto's model includes four sequential stages: 'caring about,' which recognizes the need for care; 'taking care of,' which involves assuming responsibility and deciding on actions; 'caregiving,' which entails the actual provision of care; and 'care receiving,' which includes the response to the care provided. Importantly, this definition excludes activities pursued solely for pleasure, creativity, production, or destruction.

Practicing Care

Care can be practiced through any activity aimed at maintaining, continuing, or repairing the world, thereby extending beyond mere emotional disposition to encompass both emotion and activity. This dual nature broadens the understanding of care beyond an emotionally driven attitude, highlighting the active involvement required in caregiving roles.

Intersections of Gender and Care in South Africa

In South Africa, the social construct of gender heavily influences caregiving roles, often leading to inequality. The societal constraints defining gender not only prescribe behavior based on gender interpretation but also shape individuals' self-perceptions. Care roles are frequently allocated based on these socially constructed gender norms, which affects the perceived power dynamics between genders, subsequently fostering inequality.

South African society can be characterized as subconsciously heteropatriarchal, where heterosexual males are generally perceived as dominant or in positions of power (Gouw, 2014:103). In this context, women are often viewed as subordinate, particularly in terms of authority. These ingrained social norms perpetuate inequality, reinforced by family structures and broader societal interactions, creating a persistent cycle of disparity.

Within family settings, heteropatriarchal and gender stereotypes often cast women as primary caregivers (Gouw, 2014:103). Research by Akintola supports this, revealing that care work is predominantly undertaken by women. Only one out of 21 caregivers in the study was male (Gouw, 2014:102). Additional research by Gouw and Zyl indicates that females occupy the majority of caregiving roles across various categories, including primary, secondary, community caregivers, and health professionals. This trend holds true for both heterosexual and non-heterosexual participants, except in the category of secondary caregivers, where non-heteronormative participants had equal numbers of male and female caregivers. Among 12 care recipients, females were the primary caregivers in 10 cases. The distribution of caregiving tasks was also influenced by gender, with women primarily handling domestic chores while men provided financial support (Gouw, 2014:113).

In patriarchal societies, the gendering of care implies that men typically align with the 'caring about' stage, whereas women tend to engage in 'care for' activities. This suggests that men often take a less active role, primarily contributing financial resources rather than direct caregiving (Tronto, 1993:115). Gouw and Zyl's study corroborates this, indicating that women predominantly manage the physical and emotional needs of care recipients, while men supply food and money without direct involvement (Gouw, 2014:109). Interestingly, the gender of care recipients does not influence the type of care received (Gouw, 2014:118).

Inequality in Care Professions and Economic Impact

In South Africa, caregiving professions such as nursing and teaching are undervalued and underpaid. Since women predominantly occupy these roles, gender-based inequality is evident. This supports the argument that the intersection of gender and care contributes to inequality between men and women in South Africa.

When a household member falls seriously ill, female relatives are often tasked with caregiving, leaving them with little time and added burdens. Consequently, they may need to take time off work, resulting in economic loss and increased reliance on male partners for financial support. This dynamic reinforces male dominance in financial matters.

Furthermore, caregiving responsibilities often extend to young girls, whose education suffers as they are required to assist, sometimes abandoning school altogether. This educational disparity disadvantages women, limiting their opportunities for higher-paying and less menial jobs, thereby perpetuating dependence on marriage or partnerships for support. This cycle of reliance repeats itself, reinforcing systemic inequality.

Historical Context and Masculinity's Impact

South Africa's apartheid history exacerbated gender-based inequality. Limited job opportunities for people of color relegated women to domestic work, while men worked in mines, earning better wages but often being away from home. Consequently, women became the primary caregivers, reinforcing their financial dependence on men.

It is crucial to acknowledge that societal expectations of masculinity can also be detrimental to men. For instance, South African men may avoid seeking medical care for serious illnesses like HIV due to societal norms that stigmatize vulnerability.

Moreover, the perception of men as less caring affects custody battles, where courts often favor awarding custody to women while expecting men to provide financial support.

Societal norms that portray women as inherently nurturing and emotionally attuned continue to assign them disproportionate caregiving roles in South Africa. These roles include tending to children, the infirm, the elderly, and managing daily domestic tasks. Until societal attitudes evolve, women will remain overrepresented in caregiving roles, perpetuating inequality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the intersection of care and gender in South Africa is a complex but critical lens through which to understand and address systemic inequality. Gender constructs, heavily influenced by heteropatriarchal norms, dictate caregiving roles, often to the detriment of women. Care is not only undervalued in terms of professional recognition and compensation but also disproportionately burdens women in familial contexts. This perpetuates economic and educational disparities, reinforcing a cycle of dependence and inequality. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that challenges societal norms, values caregiving equally across genders, and creates opportunities for both men and women to engage in all aspects of care. By doing so, South Africa can work towards a more equitable society where care is recognized as a shared responsibility, not a gendered expectation.

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