Mothers Who Care

Abstract

Based on a qualitative study of families of children with disabilities, this article examines the role of gender in caring for a child with a disability. Findings reveal caring as a complex phenomenon that has at least three meanings: (a) “caring for,” which refers to the caregiving work, (b) “caring about,” referring to the love, and (c) “the extended caring role,” when mothers of children with disabilities extend their caring to a broader societal concern. The findings, which suggest that the responsibilities for caring are still ascribed on the basis of gender, are discussed in relation to traditional disability family studies and the situation of women in today's society.