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

Brooke Richardson, Alana Powell, Lisa Johnston and Rachel Langford
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Brooke Richardson: Department of Sociology, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
Alana Powell: Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario, Toronto, ON M6G 1A5, Canada
Lisa Johnston: Faculty of Education, York University, North York, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Rachel Langford: School of Early Childhood Studies, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada

Social Sciences, 2023, vol. 12, issue 2, 1-12

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.

Keywords: feminist care ethics; activism; advocacy; early childhood education; childcare (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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