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"It's Like a Family"

Caring Labor, Exploitation, and Race in Nursing Homes

Boston College

Rebekah M. Zincavage

Brandeis University

This article contributes to carework scholarship by examining the nexus of gender, class, and race in long-term care facilities. We draw out a family ideology at work that promotes good care of residents and thus benefits nursing homes. We also found that careworkers value fictive kin relationships with residents, yet we uncover how the family model may be used to exploit these low-income careworkers. Reflecting a subordinate and racialized version of being "part of the family," we call for an ethic of reciprocity and for concrete change toward valuing equally the humanity of those who need and those who give care.

Key Words: carework • family • race • labor • exploitation

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