Revisiting feminist care ethics for the age of the “pluralistic family”

Abstract

Globally and in Korea families are experiencing a process of de-naturalization, as described by Ulrich Beck. Despite these changes, family norms for those related by blood, based on traditional marriage systems, still have significance, which lead to a huge gap between the evolving family realities and the idea of family. This article starts with a discussion of feminist perspectives that criticize patriarchal marriage and family systems, and suggests the pluralistic concept of family based on Iris M. Young's position, which encompasses various forms of family relations. Furthermore, I argue here that it is appropriate to construct the concept of family based on caring relationships instead of sexual relations or reproduction and suggest that feminist care ethics as the family/social ethics suitable for this pluralistic concept of family. © 2020, © 2020 Asian Center for Women's Studies, Ewha Womans University.