Discrimination against African Women as Caregivers for the Elderly in Tuscany

• In Event: Crime, Science and Politics WG Panel 10: Identity, Discrimination, and Changing Justice Norms

Abstract

Working as a caregiver for the elderly in Italy, or badanti, is one of the few jobs readily available for either documented and undocumented immigrant women. Yet African women often find this route to employment closed due to widespread and systematic employment discrimination. This paper analyzes the accounts of both African women and Italians, towards understanding the dynamics, rationales, and consequences of these practices. The paper, based on four years of fieldwork and over 140 interviews, demonstrates that African women face many blocks to gainful employment not faced by women from other ethnic categories. The stereotype of African women as sex workers is used to rationalize barring these women from employment as badanti, leaving few avenues towards gainful employment available.

Author

• Robert Garot, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York