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Reworking Bourdieu's `Capital': Feminine and Female Capitals in the Field of Paid Caring Work

The University of Sydney, kate.huppatz{at}arts.usyd.edu.au

Bourdieu overlooked the possibility of gendered capital. A number of feminists have taken issue with this and have claimed that uniquely feminine forms of capital exist.This article takes up this proposal and explores two forms of gendered capital — feminine capital and female capital. This article explores these forms of capital operating as cultural resources within the field of paid caring work. In the caring field `femininity' and `femaleness' appear to be resources women draw upon, but gendered currency operates within limits.This article examines women's perceptions of advantage arising from ownership of feminine dispositions or the experience of feminine selves; the gains that might be made from working with and for similar female others; and the parameters to female privilege. Building on feminist Bourdieusian scholarship, this article argues that Bourdieu's concept of capital is particularly useful for understanding contemporary gender practices and the relationship between gender and class.

Key Words: Bourdieu • capital • gender • paid caring work

Sociology, Vol. 43, No. 1, 45-66 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0038038508099097


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