Očaj i sreća u doba nesreće: raznolikost ženskih doživljaja karantene za vrijeme COVID-19 pandemije

Abstract

The article draws on concepts such as pandemic social practices, economy of care and capitals in order to explore women’s feelings, thoughts and practices during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Croatia in April 2020. It is based on on-line research which gathered the responses from 213 women of different age groups who, based on their educational level and profession, belong to the dominant class. The research consisted of a series of open questions which enabled the collection of personal narratives. Our study participants noted key words they felt captured the world, their family and friends, and themselves during the pandemic as well as what their daily lives look like during lockdown and what thoughts they are having about their lives in the present and future. Our findings show that responsive pandemic practices shape everyday life during lockdown, that life during lockdown is routinised, emotionally complex, that women with small children are overburdened and exhausted and that lockdown sharpens gender inequalities. We find that being financially secure adds to our participants’ resilience, as well as that some of them are in precarious positions and concerned about their financial prospects. Good relationships with others and hobbies, which include on-line yoga and on-line cultural practices, are also conducive to their resilience. According to the women participating in our study, the pandemic may result in an economic crisis, deepening inequalities, curbed personal freedoms and alienation among people, but it may also lead to more concern for nature, a political and economic shift to a more sustainable society and strengthened solidarity. © 2021 Institut za drustvena istraživanja u Zagrebu – Institute for Social Research in Zagreb Sva prava pridržana – All rights reserved.