Evolving Carework: A Vietnamese/English Dual Language Program in Three Moments

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: Division L - Section 4: School Choice and Other Market Reforms Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

Exacerbated by the pandemic, educator burnout, attrition, and crises of mental and physical health stem from a longer-standing crisis driven by the cannibalistic tendencies of capitalism (Fraser, 2022). An area of social reproduction Fraser (2022) terms “carework” is explored through dilemmas in serving a former refugee and immigrant community in the U.S. We assess careworkers’ efforts to navigate personal, professional, and organizational risks and trace the material conditioning of a community’s evolving ethic of carework through three “moments” occurring across four decades. Our analysis draws strongly on Fraser’s reformulated critique, complemented by Sjoberg’s (1998; 2005) insights on intellectual edgework, Mattei’s (2022) discussion of austerity politics, Chibber’s (2022) focus on employee resignation, and Harvey’s (2018) approach to historical materialism.

Authors

• Thu Suong T. Nguyen, Indiana University - Indianapolis

• Brendan D. Maxcy, Indiana University - Indianapolis