Meaning and Centrality of Caring Activities Among Older Women

This article explores the meaning and conditions of caring activities for older women. Taped, in-person interviews were conducted with 53 ethnically and economically diverse women, 55-84 years old. The interview guide contained open-ended questions regarding the process of taking on caring activities and the centrality of care to personal identity. Past activities were automatically assumed, in contrast to the present experience of choice. Caring activities provided meaning and continuity throughout the life course. Participants reported becoming more self-protective over the life course and offered seven explanations for their increased ability to be self-protective.