Caregiving and the Abuse of Power

Joseph Walsh

doi:10.5206/fpq/2019.3.5418

Abstract

Caregiving relationships are often characterized by an imbalance of power between the caregiver and her cared-for. The danger that this power will be abused is a source of serious moral concern. In this article, I argue that the risk of an abuse of power sometimes stems not from the possession of power itself, but from the very nature of caring relationships. This is because carers must be prepared to exercise non-minimal amounts of power over their cared-fors, even if doing so is likely to cause the cared-for distress or even pain. This means that caring itself, rather than the malign influence of power dynamics, generates a risk of unintentional abuse. One of the ways in which this risk can be reduced, I argue, is by trying to avoid an exclusive focus on the outcomes of care, and by paying more attention to the way in which that care is delivered.

Highlights

Relationships of care often give rise to ethically charged power dynamics
On the one hand, cared-fors are in a position to exercise power over their caregivers
The more time one spends enforcing rules and policing behaviour, the less time there is available to spend in caring for one’s students. Weinstein rejects this conception of care in favour of an alternative approach according to which the use of power to maintain discipline is partially constitutive of caregiving

Summary

Introduction

Relationships of care often give rise to ethically charged power dynamics. On the one hand, cared-fors are in a position to exercise power over their caregivers. The more time one spends enforcing rules and policing behaviour, the less time there is available to spend in caring for one’s students Weinstein rejects this conception of care in favour of an alternative approach according to which the use of power to maintain discipline is partially constitutive of caregiving. In support of her view, Weinstein writes that “caring can include a commitment to creating an orderly environment in which children can flourish” (1998, 154). As will be seen any attempt to make such a specification will encounter serious problems

Identifying the Ethical Limits of Power

Conclusion