Fair care

Abstract

Caring relationships and material caregiving are politically significant goods that should be distributed according to principles of justice. I argue that, within Rawlsian liberalism, care should be considered a primary good and propose a third principle of justice requiring access to the social and legal supports of caring relationships. I examine what social and legal institutions supporting care might require, with particular attention to allowing the infirm elderly and persons with disabilities access to caring relationships. I propose the formation of a Care Corps, providing access to caring relationships for elderly and housebound citizens. If universally required and compensated, the Care Corps could address two other injustices related to care: the unjust distribution of caring labor between men and women and the relatively low status of caring work.

Keywords

feminism family old age care elder care disability Rawls Kittay primary goods distributive justice

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