Cyber-Burdens: Emerging Imperatives in Women’s Unpaid Care Work

As mothers, daughters, wives, community volunteers, and in countless paid work roles, whether they are teachers, nurses, hairdressers, librarians or lawyers, women are called upon to react to and act upon the health concerns of others. As carers and care-givers women are expected to demonstrate empathy, concern, and interest in the ailments and health issues that affect children, partners, friends, and colleagues, as well as workplace customers and clients. Along with lending a sympathetic ear, women often serve as important intermediaries of health information, even though they may have no recognized links or responsibilities to the formal health care system. By finding and passing along information about illnesses, wellness strategies, and treatment options, and by locating services and resources, women play pivotal roles of support and harm-reduction in their communities. This job of care and connecting is largely invisible and, even if undertaken in the context of paid work, is usually under-appreciated and un- or under-compensated.