Consider the ethical issues in aging from a feminist/female point of view. This view has often challenged the traditional view of ethics in regards to caring for the aging and the elderly. Give an overview of the ethical challenges a feminist/female-centered ethical framework brings to the discussion of how to best care for the aging/elderly. Discuss the unique impact feminist/female-centered ethical framework has on ethical issues related to caring for the elderly and aging.

Give an overview of the ethical challenges a feminist/female-centered ethical framework brings to the discussion of how to best care for the aging/elderly.

Feminists have championed women's freedom in choosing their own destiny. They have fought for equal pay in the work force, freedom to choose whether to have an abortion or not, and recently the freedom of two women to live together in a "marriage" relationship. This conflicts with the reality of care-giving in America today as it applies to the elderly. In most cases it is women who end up caring for older parents who can no longer care for themselves.

When women are expected to care for older family members feminists are faced with a dilemma of sorts. If it is assumed that the woman will give up her job instead of the man giving up his job simply because she earns less than he does this really would upset a feminist. If the woman is single and it is assumed that she will give up her job because she has no children to take care that would also be repulsive to a feminist.