Care Approach to Ethics

Make exceptions or break rules

An automatic or top-down way will often fail based on the complexities of caring relationships. Perhaps a rule should even sometimes be violated or an exception admitted—and for good reason.

Care Ethics Approach

Care Ethics Approach

Emphasizes relationships, empathy, and responsibility for others' well-being over principles like justice or rights Decisions should focus on meeting the specific needs of vulnerable individuals rather than applying universal, one-size-fits-all rules

Key Principles

Attentiveness: Recognizing the needs of others. Responsibility: Taking it upon oneself to respond to those needs. Competence: Providing care effectively and thoughtfully. Responsiveness: Acknowledging and respecting how the cared-for person responds. Reciprocity: Ethical care is mutual, not one-sided.

Critiques

• Can be seen as too subjective or emotionally driven.
• Critics say it lacks clear rules for resolving moral conflicts.
• Some argue it may reinforce gender stereotypes (linking women more to “caring” roles).

Care within the field of sport coaching

1. The act of superficial care and the impediment on learning and performance
2. The act of touching athletes: the protection and safeguarding of our athletes
3. Reciprocity: relational notion of care and supporting networks

Lewis, et al. (2022)

Return-to-Play

Placing pressure upon the athlete to return to play before they are ready

Athlete Mental Health

Care within the field of sport coaching

1. The act of superficial care and the impediment on learning and performance
2. The act of touching athletes: the protection and safeguarding of our athletes
3. Reciprocity: relational notion of care and supporting networks

Lewis, et al. (2022)