Reconceptualizing Activism through a Feminist Care Ethics in the Ontario (Canada) Early Childhood Education Context: Enacting Caring Activism

Abstract

While early childhood education (ECE) in Ontario has always had a vibrant social activist community, it is characterized by tensions within and between individuals and institutions at the minor (childcare centres, post-secondary ECE programs) and major (mainstream media, public policy) levels. ECE activism is further complicated by the fact that it often feels impossible/unsustainable within our existing patriarchal, neoliberal political structure. In this paper we, four ECE activists and leaders, turn to feminist care ethics (FCE) to reflect on our own activism experiences and imagine a different way of doing and sustaining activism in ECE. We insist that activism be understood as a relational process that bridges major and minor spaces (and everything in between) in a way that cares about, for, and with all those involved. We enthusiastically invite other to join us on this journey, exploring and navigating the beautiful awkwardness, discomfort, tension, and possibilities in caring for and with each other in major and minor political spaces.

Communicating through Cyberfeminism: Communication Strategies for the Construction of the International Feminist Strike in Portugal

“…This movement exposes the realities of labor that are rendered invisible and normalized in a society rooted in the patriarchal system. However, it is crucial to note that these experiences predominantly revolve around the caregiving responsibilities of white women, often excluding other racialized groups from consideration (Richardson et al 2023). The #HANGUPTHEAPRON campaign received fewer than 100 mentions, according to Instagram's search tool.…”

Falling by the “wasteside”: Defining and moving towards educator well-being from the perspective of early childhood educators in Ontario, Canada

“…In this way, feminist care ethics requires professionals to abandon the objective, rational, technician role and instead embrace interconnectedness in our relationships with children, families and the broader social/economic/ political contexts in which they/we exist. It requires us to genuinely listen and act with others to move towards a more equitable, just and democratic politic (Richardson et al, 2023). One ECE, who is in a leadership role in the AECEO, described finding a "home" in feminist care ethics (Bruce & Powell, 2022).…”