Journal on Developmental Disabilities
Le journal sur les handicaps du développement

Abstract

Moral philosophers have debated whether power asymmetry precludes relational mutuality. Some ethicists deliberate over the delicacies of such imbalances in relations between patients and healers. Caregivers, however, know that in practice, relationships can and do develop, and can enrich the care experience for the client and staff. Emergent client-centred caregiving ideologies furthermore request a level of relational engagement by caregivers with clients. These relationships can be fruitful but are difficult to navigate: they tend to blur ostensibly clear professional boundaries, and complicate the traditional, one-way exercise of power Here, I demonstrate that the positive outcomes of working towards mutuality in care warrant the extra effort required. The anthropological research for this paper was conducted in L'Arche residential care homes for people with developmental disabilities. I define core elements of mutual relationships in L'Arche, and I use stories from everyday life to illustrate these caregivers' power-sharing strategies and tactics.

download >>