Exploring the Hidden Meaning of Care through the Life History of a 53-year-old Woman

Abstract

This study is based on the story of a woman who has been caring for children and the elderly for a living. As a mother of three children she supported her mother-in-law with Alzheimer's for over 20 years. This paper tried to explore the meaning of care through the life history of a 53-year-old woman and discover its implications for pedagogy. As results, first, the meaning that 'life is a period of vulnerability(Donna J. Haraway)' came to light through the characters surrounding this woman's family history; Second, the fact that the relationship between the caregiver and the person being cared for is the core of a good care relationship became clear; Third, since care is already a relationship in itself, care work is a labor of love and relationships that cannot be standardized or objectified. Finally, the meaning of care work illuminated that self-care and care for others are constantly interacting. The family discord experienced by the participant due to solitary care work gave social, political and economic suggestions that care work was passed entirely on to women. This life history research with a participant K suggested also possibilities of inventing a new viewpoint of humanity and a new mode of human relationship through care work. So this study presented a new task for pedagogy in that care is the knowledge that anyone should and can learn.