Slaps, Punches, Pinches -- But not Violence: Boundary Work in Nursing Homes for the Elderly
Author
Summary, in English
The article presents an analysis of boundary work within the context of care for the elderly, where violence appears to be widespread though still relatively unacknowledged. By resorting to certain descriptive – often jocular – modes, the staff designate aggressive acts committed by patients as 'non-violent'. This occurs although intent, responsibility, and injury – all common criteria associated with violence – are partly present in the descriptions. It is suggested that this combination of tendencies is an artful way of simultaneously presenting the nurses as competent caregivers rather than controllers -- in spite of reported difficulties.
Department/s
Publishing year
2002
Language
English
Pages
515-536
Publication/Series
Symbolic Interaction
Volume
25
Issue
4
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
University of California Press
Topic
- Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)
Keywords
- care
- homes for elderly
- nurses
- constructionism
- violence
- elderly
- sociologi
- aggression
- sociology
- decriptive work
- boundary work
Status
Published
Research group
- Kriminal- och socialvetenskapligt nätverk
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0195-6086