Queer acts of daily care are those that challenge normative ideas about what constitutes useful or productive labor in contemporary capitalist societies. This essay will explore how these acts can be understood as subversive and transformative forces that undermine the values of efficiency and profit maximization that underpin modern economies.
It is important to understand that mainstream discourses about work tend to privilege certain forms of labor over others.
Jobs that generate large amounts of wealth are often seen as more valuable than those that do not. In addition, tasks that appear mundane or unskilled may be denigrated, while those that require specialized knowledge or expertise may be exalted. These hierarchies reinforce gendered and racialized power dynamics, positioning some groups as 'essential' workers who perform necessary but devalued labor, while others are seen as more deserving of respect and recognition.
The idea of queerness challenges this view by questioning the very notion of utility and productivity itself. Queer thinkers argue that all forms of labor should be valued equally and that no task should be relegated to an inferior status simply because it does not produce economic value. Instead, they suggest that we ought to recognize the ways in which even seemingly trivial activities contribute to our sense of well-being and belonging in the world.
One way that queer acts of daily care resist ethics of productivity is through their refusal to conform to rigid time constraints. Many traditional models of working life prioritize speed and efficiency above all else, encouraging workers to 'get more done' in less time. This approach often leaves little room for spontaneity or pleasure, and can lead to burnout and exhaustion. By contrast, queer acts of care often take place on a timeline set by the needs of individuals rather than external pressures. They might involve spending hours preparing a delicious meal with friends, or offering emotional support to a loved one during a difficult period.
Another way that these acts challenge dominant values is by subverting normative understandings of what constitutes masculine or feminine behavior. Traditional masculinity tends to privilege physical strength, assertiveness, and independence, while femininity is associated with nurturing, empathy, and interdependence. Queer acts of care often blur these boundaries, as men may take on traditionally female roles such as childcare or cooking, and women may engage in typically male pursuits like gardening or woodworking. In this way, they challenge binary assumptions about gender identity and expression.
Queer acts of care can also be understood as forms of resistance against capitalism itself. By rejecting the idea that only certain types of labor should be valued and rewarded, they offer an alternative vision of society based on mutual aid and collective care. Instead of competitive individualism, queer care emphasizes collaboration and cooperation among people who share resources and knowledge. Rather than seeking profit maximization, it prioritizes sustainability and collective well-being.
Queer acts of daily care resist ethics of productivity and utility in important ways. By challenging hierarchies of value, defying traditional gender roles, and creating alternatives to capitalist logic, they offer valuable insights into how we might build more just and equitable societies.
How do queer acts of daily care resist the ethics of productivity and utility?
Queer acts of daily care often challenge the mainstream norms of productivity and utility by disrupting traditional gender roles, subverting heteronormative expectations, and reimagining what it means to take care of oneself and others.