Comments on: Care Talk Blog http://crookedtimber.org/2008/05/20/care-talk-blog/ Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:58:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Helen http://crookedtimber.org/2008/05/20/care-talk-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-240672 Helen Fri, 23 May 2008 00:57:49 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=6932#comment-240672 I'm a bit sad that there are only two comments on this thread, because it's such an important topic. But maybe I'm being too pessimistic. Perhaps it's just quiet because people are rushing off to write to their MP or do some more reading and thinking :-) I’m a bit sad that there are only two comments on this thread, because it’s such an important topic. But maybe I’m being too pessimistic. Perhaps it’s just quiet because people are rushing off to write to their MP or do some more reading and thinking :-)

]]> By: Ingrid Robeyns http://crookedtimber.org/2008/05/20/care-talk-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-240618 Ingrid Robeyns Wed, 21 May 2008 06:45:17 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=6932#comment-240618 witt, I think that's a very pertinent thought. Sadly, most professional organisions (businesses but also other organisations) still have an image of a ideal worker as being care-free. Yet there is a great variety between countries, between sectors, and between organisations, which suggests that change is possible. But it's going to take a long time, and smart and strategic thinking how best to get there (and there will be resistance, not just from the organisational authorities, but also from co-workers who embrace this ideal too). witt, I think that’s a very pertinent thought. Sadly, most professional organisions (businesses but also other organisations) still have an image of a ideal worker as being care-free. Yet there is a great variety between countries, between sectors, and between organisations, which suggests that change is possible. But it’s going to take a long time, and smart and strategic thinking how best to get there (and there will be resistance, not just from the organisational authorities, but also from co-workers who embrace this ideal too).

]]> By: Witt http://crookedtimber.org/2008/05/20/care-talk-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-240603 Witt Tue, 20 May 2008 21:59:14 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=6932#comment-240603 Thank you for this quite interesting link. I am struck by Fobre's contention that "care work involves a kind of exchange that typically changes the exchangers." I think this phrase explains some of reasons for the (significant) extent to which caregiving is disparaged and devalued in the office world. The ideal worker is focused, committed, and steady, unaffected by the tempests of corporate life. The worker who admits to being changed (on an interpersonal level) by his/her work is showing vulnerability, which is rarely seen as an optimal trait. I've given all of a few minutes' thought to this, so I don't want to push it too far. But it is well reflected in my own experience, and perhaps in others' too. Thank you for this quite interesting link. I am struck by Fobre’s contention that “care work involves a kind of exchange that typically changes the exchangers.”

I think this phrase explains some of reasons for the (significant) extent to which caregiving is disparaged and devalued in the office world. The ideal worker is focused, committed, and steady, unaffected by the tempests of corporate life. The worker who admits to being changed (on an interpersonal level) by his/her work is showing vulnerability, which is rarely seen as an optimal trait.

I’ve given all of a few minutes’ thought to this, so I don’t want to push it too far. But it is well reflected in my own experience, and perhaps in others’ too.

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