Caregiving Research, Services, and Policies in Historically Marginalized Communities

Abstract

Future research, service interventions and policies must be responsive to the changing context of caregiving in this country and the increasing diversity in our society at large. This article examines the conceptual and methodological limitations that are inherent in the ma—jority of the caregiving literature and outlines directions for future work on caregiving in marginalized communities, with a special emphasis on sexual orientation and gender identity. The article illustrates the impor—tance of cultural variations and multiple identities as they relate to care—giving across diverse communities and explores ways to increase both theoretical and methodological rigor in future studies as well as ways to effectively access relatively hard to reach populations. As we move for—ward in caregiving research, services and policies, there is a critical need for increased attention to the societal context in which caregiving occurs—especially if we are to understand the realities of caregiving across marginalized and diverse communities.

Key Words:

• Caregiving
• family care
• sexual orientation
• gender identity
• lesbian
• gay
• bisexual and transgender