Tiina Sihto, University of Eastern Finland
Paula Vasara, University of Jyväskylä

This thematic panel focuses on the dark side of care — which is defined in this panel as structures, practices, experiences, actions, thoughts, emotions, and feelings connected to care that are difficult to talk about, hidden, and/or associated with a taboo or stigma. This theme is closely connected to the conference themes of care arrangements, and practices, and formal and informal care work.

Our interest in the dark side of care stems from the contradictions between the praise given to care(rs) and the strong ideals attached to care versus the everyday realities and practices of care. Care, caring, and being cared for are a vital part of our being and survival; others depend on us, and we depend on others for various forms of care throughout our life course. Yet there are many underlying silent agreements on the arrangements of care that are not put into words and discussed. Care can provide a sense of meaning and connection to one another, but at its worst, caring can be binding, burdensome, time-consuming work that can push the carer to his/her psychological, physical, and emotional limits. Caring relationships can entail neglect, the misuse of power, and even violence. We argue that addressing the dark side of care is necessary for imagining what better care could look like, and for imagining alternative futures for care.

We invite both empirical and theoretical contributions to this panel. The possible topics addressed can be related to (but are not limited to) issues such as:

• ambiguous/difficult emotions in caring relationships and care work
• overburden and burnout of professional and informal carers
• taboos and stigmas of care
• violence, abuse and neglect in caring relationships
• institutional violence and neglect in care services
• lack of care and its consequences