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The Caring Economy: A System That Will Lead Us to Global Wellness for All Living Creatures

The Caring Economy: A System That Will Lead Us to Global Wellness for All Living Creatures

Laura Giadorou Koch (University of Illinois, USA)
Copyright: © 2022 |Pages: 18
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-3799-5.ch014
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Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has proved to be a compelling lens, showing us the urgency to transform our current malfunctioning economic values, policies, and theories. In this chapter, the authors propose solutions to our current challenges of inequality and climate change throught the four pillars of the caring economy. The caring economy is an economic system that promotes the wellness and development of people regardless of sex, class, race, or ability, while respecting and taking responsibility for the planet. In essence, the caring economy has existed since the beginning of our civilization and today aligns with most written democratic constitutions. So why are we still searching for these values and results? Here you will learn why and what needs to be done.
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What Is Normal Today, And Should It Be Tolerated?

  • •

    Did you know that an astonishing 1 in every 3 women will experience domestic violence at some point in their lifetime? The COVID-19 pandemic has increased violence against women and children exponentially. In fact, in many western countries the number of female victims of domestic abuse increased by 30% compared to previous years. Moreover, due to COVID-19, cases of femicide – the intentional killing of women and girls purely because of their gender – have also risen. Why is this still tolerated?

  • •

    Did you know that it is not only women who suffer the brutality of violence, but children are affected as well: over 1 billion minors globaly every year? This equates to more than 50% of all children in this planet suffering violence annually. One child is killed due to violence every seven minutes. Why is this still tolerated?

  • •

    Did you know that more than 700 million people – the majority of whom are women and children – live in extreme poverty, getting by on less than US$1.50 a day? Why is this still tolerated?

  • •

    Did you know that some 3.1 million children die from malnutrition each year? And this number doesn’t include the many millions whose mental and physical growth are stunted due to the effects of malnutrition. Why is this still tolerated?

  • •

    Did you know that according to the WEF2020 Gender Parity Report, in 2020 the projected time to achieve parity between women and men was 99 years? However, after COVID-19 this timeline has sadly extended: for 2021 data revealing that the new timeframe is closer to 200 years. Accoridng to 2022 World Bank report, over 2.5 million women do not have same rights of men today. Why is this still tolerated?

  • •

    Did you know that in the last few decades, humans have destroyed hundreds of thousands of miles of the Earth’s forests? The planet we call home has also suffered dramatic soil degeneration, increased CO2 emissions, vast levels of chemical and plastic pollution, as well as the elimination and even extinction of large swathes of our ecosystems and biodiversity. Although scientists and governments were warned about climate change since the 1960s (Bell, 2021), very little action has been taken to prevent its continuous destruction. Why is this still tolerated?

Just take a moment to put yourself in the shoes of the women and children we have discussed in the previous points. Think of their suffering. This pain and anguish has been going on for centuries.

None of these global issues should be tolerated any more: a change is key in our current economic values and behaviors.

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