The current paper will argue that a radical form of care is necessary to disrupt systemic heteronormativity within corporate environments. This argument is grounded upon the assertion that heterosexual normativity is an institutionalized way of being which upholds patriarchal values and structures of power while silencing non-normative identities, particularly those who identify as queer, trans, and/or gender non-conforming. As such, the paper will explore how forms of care can be leveraged to destabilize this dominant order through a critical examination of three interrelated concepts: care, neoliberalism, and the workplace.
Care has been conceptualized as both an individual practice and a social structure. In feminist theory, care is a practice of nurturing, caring for others, and looking after one's own wellbeing. It encompasses all aspects of daily life, including physical and emotional needs as well as relationships between individuals and their environment. Care practices are crucial for sustaining life itself and have been traditionally associated with women's labor, but can also extend beyond the domestic sphere into communal spaces like workplaces. Moreover, care is often viewed as antithetical to capitalist logics of efficiency and productivity; therefore, in neoliberal societies, it is marginalized or even criminalized.
Since the late twentieth century, there has been a renewed interest in care as an alternative model of economic production that could challenge capitalist exploitation by emphasizing cooperation over competition.
Neoliberalism, on the other hand, refers to a political-economic ideology that prioritizes market forces above all else. Neoliberalism seeks to reduce state involvement in the economy while promoting free markets and privatization. Its core tenets include deregulation, minimal government spending, and maximizing profits at any cost. As such, it encourages a competitive climate where workers must compete against each other for resources and jobs - a situation which reinforces traditional gender roles while excluding non-normative identities. This framework also relies upon individualism rather than collective action, leading to isolation and atomization within the workplace.
The paper will discuss how radical forms of care can be leveraged to disrupt these structures. Firstly, care work can be used to destabilize the heterosexual normativity inherent in neoliberalism by reclaiming its feminist roots and rejecting the idea that care is solely associated with women's labor. Secondly, care can be used to create space for queer and trans individuals within corporate environments by challenging binary notions of gender and sex.
Care can be leveraged to foster intimacy between coworkers through practices such as empathy, active listening, and mutual support; this intimacy can then serve as a foundation for challenging oppressive power structures.
Radical forms of care have the potential to challenge systemic heteronormativity within corporate environments by creating spaces of inclusion and connection among employees. By recognizing the value of care in both private and professional settings, we can begin to shift away from exploitative capitalist logics towards more equitable models that prioritize collective wellbeing over profit.
Can radical forms of care within corporate environments disrupt systemic heteronormativity?
The increasing recognition of LGBTQ+ identities has led many companies to explore new ways to support their employees' needs and desires for inclusivity and acceptance. One approach that is becoming more commonplace is the concept of "radical care" - a holistic form of care that challenges traditional norms around gender, sexuality, and family structures.