Emotional interactions and an ethics of care: Caring relations in families affected by HIV and AIDS

Abstract

In the context of global processes of economic restructuring, the HIV and AIDS epidemic and socio-cultural constructions of care, many women and young people in low-income households have been drawn into caring roles within the family. Drawing on the literature on an ethics of care, emotional geographies and embodiment, this paper examines the emotional dynamics of the caring process in families affected by HIV and AIDS. Based on the perspectives of both "caregivers" and "care-receivers" from research undertaken in Namibia, Tanzania and the UK, we examine the everyday practices of care that women and young people are engaged in and explore how emotions are performed and managed in caring relationships. Our research suggests caregivers play a crucial role in providing emotional support and reassurance to people with HIV, which in turn often affects caregivers' emotional and physical wellbeing. Within environments where emotional expression is restricted and HIV is heavily stigmatised, caregivers and care-receivers seek to regulate their emotions in order to protect family members from the emotional impacts of a chronic, life-limiting illness. However, whilst care giving and receiving may lead to close emotional connections and a high level of responsiveness, the intensity of intimate caring relationships, isolation and lack of access to adequate resources can cause tensions and contradictory feelings that may be difficult to manage. These conflicts can severely constrain carers" ability to provide the "good care" that integrates the key ethical phases in Tronto"s (1993) ideal of the caring process.

The Relationship Between Social Roles and Self-Management Behavior in Women Living with HIV/AIDS

“…Caregiver: Historically, the domestic role of caregiver is one in which women “perform unpaid tasks to satisfy the needs of family members or to maintain the home and the family's possessions” (Aguiar & Hurst, 2007; Evans & Thomas, 2009; Lachance-Grzela & Bouchard, 2010). These tasks often include cleaning and cooking, but also intermittent tasks such as car maintenance and yard work as well as emotional work in caring for family members.…”

Sibling caringscapes: Time–space practices of caring within youth-headed households in Tanzania and Uganda

“…While the bulk of care research focuses on the minority world, a growing literature has explored changing arrangements for the care of chronically ill adults and orphaned children in eastern and southern Africa in response to the devastating impacts of HIV and AIDS on families and communities (Evans and Thomas, 2009;Nyambedha et al, 2003;Robson et al, 2006;Van Blerk and Ansell, 2007a). Research in Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe has revealed that young people's caring roles shift along a continuum over time and space (Evans and Becker, 2009;Robson et al, 2006;Skovdal, 2011).…”

Parental death as a vital conjuncture? Intergenerational care and responsibility following bereavement in Senegal

“…Recent geographical literature has revealed the highly embodied nature of such practices that vary in different socio-spatial and temporal contexts (Bondi 2008;Milligan 2005). Research suggests that the emotions experienced by care-givers and care-receivers need to be understood within the broader context of existing socio-cultural relations, gender and age inequalities, stigma and poverty (Evans and Thomas 2009). Tronto (1993) emphasises the interdependence and interconnectedness of human relations, responsibilities and practices of care.…”