GENDER AND ENVIRONMENT 460 205

ENVIRONMENTAL CARE (NOT) INHERENT TO WOMEN

Abstract

This theoretical essay aims to study the relationship between women and nature, as well as the ideal of environmental care, as something (not) inherent to women. To achieve this, we will approach the topic from an ecofeminist perspective. The specific objectives are structured in three sections, which are worked through in the construction of this article: a) to study the (in)visibility of women throughout history; b) to research patriarchy and the reinforcement of the idea of domination/subordination, as well as the reinforcement of roles imposed on women and men, where, through these reinforced roles, women would be more closely associated with the idea of care; and finally, c) to learn about the relationship between women and nature, drawing on ecofeminist theories and authors who support deep ecology, such as Fritjof Capra. Thus, the research problem assumes that in a patriarchal and capitalist society, which naturalizes the logic of oppression – domination of men over women – would women be more connected to the idea of environmental care because they are women, or is this also a patriarchal construction? However, we found that environmental care is not inherent to women; it is more a patriarchal creation that insists on establishing and assigning roles to men and women, reinforcing negative and oppressive stereotypes, seeking to link the image of women with tenderness and care, and that of men with superiority and domination, which is also present in their relationship with nature. The methodology uses the inductive method and a bibliographic review, through books, journals, and electronic searches for scientific articles on Google Scholar and Scielo, related to the research topic.