Solidarity and recognition of identity: the case of informal care

In sociology, solidarity is defined as the willingness of individuals to serve and promote the collective interests of a group or of society they belong to. In addition to this descriptive meaning, solidarity has a prescriptive meaning which is the object of ethics and philosophy. In philosophy, the idea of solidarity relates to the moral significance of obligations people feel toward each other in the context of a specific community. This moral understanding is based on a philosophical view of individuals as relational beings who can only flourish and develop their identity in relation to other human beings. The article aims to illustrate this philosophical perspective on solidarity through the case of informal care in the Netherlands, which is care for close relatives, neighbors, or friends who are dependent on personal support from others due to disease or other limitations. For many individuals providing such care, recognition is crucial in enabling them to come to terms with their caring role and to support their identity as caregiver. The article argues that a solidarity-based approach may lead to new directions in the support of informal carers, particularly with regard to their identities and mental well-being.