Reconceptualising social care: the (new) contestation of social care and its gendered implications (original) (raw)

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical role of social care in capitalist societies, highlighting a 'care crisis' that encompasses personnel shortages and moral conflicts. This editorial introduces the concept of 'contested care', examining its manifestations and gendered implications across diverse groups including terminally ill individuals, migrants, and LGBTQ+ populations. The contributions from various authors, through empirical analysis and innovative methodologies, reveal that economic factors, feminist influences, and knowledge formation are key drivers in the evolving landscape of social care, advocating for a reconceptualization that supports a more inclusive and equitable care system.