Care in the fight against gender-based violence in the couple

Abstract

World statistics reveal that gender violence prevails despite legislative advances. Their combat goes beyond the behavioral terrain, as it requires an affective and symbolic reform that modifies the meanings associated with the feminine and masculine categories. This qualitative research with a feminist approach analyzes the narrative of the intimate partner relationship story of four men and four women from Querétaro, México. Middle class people, linked to feminist spaces and psychotherapy who are in a relationship that has been maintained over time. The results show the coexistence of gender violence and care throughout the intimate relationship, with meanings according to sex. Care is shown to be key in the fight against gender violence since it neutralizes violence and repairs the relationship. It presents qualities that modify identities and promote empathic capacity by making evident human vulnerability and the need to live in interdependence. It leads to recognizing the partner as an equal, autonomous and vulnerable subject, overcoming the symbolic differences that concern gender, modifying the affections deposited in the generic categories and triggering collaborative behaviors.