Intersectional perspectives on informal care

Yvette Wittenberg and Rick Kwekkeboom

Chapter 27 in Handbook on Intersectionality and Social Work, 2026, pp 355-364 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter explores the significance of adopting an intersectional perspective to generate insights into informal caregiving experiences. Informal care refers to unpaid care provision by relatives, friends, or neighbours to someone with a long-term health or welfare need. The focal point of the chapter showcases various examples illustrating the added value of an intersectional perspective when analysing informal care. The emphasis lies on shifting from a cultural scope to a broader diversity perspective because essentialising culture as the sole explanation of informal care practices does not aid in understanding the full reality of informal care. The chapter concludes with a call to action for social workers to prioritise diversity in informal care using an intersectional approach. Reflexive practices are advocated to analyse the role of social positions of caregivers and social workers and to enhance collaboration between them and to value the knowledge and experiences of caregivers in the care provided.

Keywords: Informal Care; Long-Term Health; Welfare Needs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035324453
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