Ecofeminism, Gender, and Socio-Environmental Care: Invisible Costs of Women’s Mental and Physical Burden

Abstract

In the context of socio-environmental crises, care work historically assigned to women has become increasingly complex. Traditional responsibilities are compounded by tasks related to the ecological and sanitary maintenance of everyday life, including waste management, water use and administration, hygiene, and food provision. Because these forms of care are embedded in domestic and reproductive spheres, they remain feminized and largely invisible, generating costs that fall disproportionately on women. The aim was to analyze, from a critical ecofeminist perspective, experiences of mental and physical burden associated with socio-environmental care among adult mothers in paid employment residing in Xalapa, Veracruz. A qualitative study with a phenomenological, comprehensive-interpretive orientation was conducted with ten participants. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the information was examined through manual coding and categorization. Findings identified constant planning and concern, emotional fatigue, difficulties resting, and physical discomfort that participants associated with the continuity and accumulation of care responsibilities. Socio-environmental practices were also integrated into domestic and family tasks, alongside reduced personal time. It was concluded that, in the experiences analyzed, the concentration of these responsibilities was linked to mental and physical burdens and to an unequal distribution of care.