Care

Tabea Häberlein and Erdmute Alber

Chapter 1 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Economic Anthropology, 2025, pp 95-99 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Care is an essential part of all kinds of economic processes. However, its epistemological visibility in economic discourse fluctuates, shedding light on unpaid care work dynamics. It becomes visible in moments of crisis: research on intergenerational relations, childhood, and working conditions during the Covid-19 pandemic reveals the nuanced intersections of care and economics. The centrality of care lies in its role in social relationships, yet it partially contrasts with capitalist economies, highlighted in feminist discourses on care as part of an “invisible economy”. The state's role in caregiving is complex, with implications for social impact. Global inequalities intersect with care dynamics, often with power imbalances and migration. Recent explorations extend to planetary care, integrating care concepts into sustainable practices and understanding interspecies interactions. Economic anthropology, STS and studies of care engage in redefining productivity and conservation within care frameworks, pointing towards holistic approaches to economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Care; State; Kinship; Social security; Feminist economics; Power (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035312566
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