ABSTRACT
This chapter examines several situations in which care and autonomy seem to conflict and explores the symbolism and the institutionalization of care. Care is socially constructed as feminine, autonomy is socially constructed as masculine, and the feminine and the masculine are socially constructed in opposition to one another. The chapter examines how the symbolic system that dichotomizes public and private, masculinity and femininity, work and love, and instrumentality and expressivity results in a dichotomy between care and autonomy. While care is interpreted as emotional responsiveness based on affection for others, work is interpreted as activity undertaken for its instrumental benefits. Care is an expression of one's identity, while work is a mere transaction of goods and services. The chapter also examines the institutional tensions between care work and autonomy in more detail. It focuses on two categories of care work: unpaid care work in family life and paid care work in caregiving institutions, specifically nursing.
