Gender preconceptions and caregiving practices in low-income households in the villages of Copacabana and Quilino, Córdoba, Argentina

Macarena Perusset
J Sex Gender Specif Med 2025, 11(1): online ahead of print

Abstract. This study examines the gendered dynamics of daily caregiving and health-related responsibilities among women of low-income households in northwest Córdoba, Argentina. Focusing on their roles in caring for children and family members, the research employed qualitative methods engaging 58 women from vulnerable neighborhoods of Quilino and Copacabana villages in the Ischilín department of Córdoba. Participants were interviewed multiple times, supplemented by additional informal interactions. The primary analysis centered on household units, utilizing health diaries and medication inventories to delve into women’s caregiving experiences. The study posits that entrenched gender norms significantly influence the distribution of health-related caregiving tasks, predominantly shouldered by women. Cultural expectations and economic constraints contribute to tensions and dissatisfaction with male partners, as women bear the brunt of domestic responsibilities. The findings reveal that women’s domestic workload is exacerbated by their employment and the varying availability of their spouses, reinforcing traditional caregiving roles. This research underscores the pivotal role of gender in shaping domestic health practices and perceptions, with broader implications for family dynamics and gender equity in lowincome settings in Cordoba, Argentina. It highlights how informal social interactions uphold cultural norms of maternal caregiving, perpetuating gender inequalities in household health management.
Key words. Women’s health, family, household, social norms.