Sociology and Space, Vol. 59 No. 219, 2021.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.59.0.9
Despair and Happiness in the Time of Unhappiness: The Variety of Women’s Experiences of Quarantine during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Marija Brajdić Vuković
orcid.org/0000-0002-3619-9520
; Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, Croatia
Karin Doolan
; University of Zadar, Department of Sociology, Croatia
Abstract
The article draws on concepts such as pandemic social practices, economy of care and capitals
in order to explore women’s feelings, thoughts and practices during the first wave of the
COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Croatia in April 2020. It is based on on-line research
which gathered the responses from 213 women of different age groups who, based on their
educational level and profession, belong to the dominant class. The research consisted of a
series of open questions which enabled the collection of personal narratives. Our study participants
noted key words they felt captured the world, their family and friends, and themselves
during the pandemic as well as what their daily lives look like during lockdown and what
thoughts they are having about their lives in the present and future. Our findings show that
responsive pandemic practices shape everyday life during lockdown, that life during lockdown
is routinised, emotionally complex, that women with small children are overburdened and exhausted
and that lockdown sharpens gender inequalities. We find that being financially secure
adds to our participants’ resilience, as well as that some of them are in precarious positions
and concerned about their financial prospects. Good relationships with others and hobbies,
which include on-line yoga and on-line cultural practices, are also conducive to their resilience.
According to the women participating in our study, the pandemic may result in an economic
crisis, deepening inequalities, curbed personal freedoms and alienation among people, but it
may also lead to more concern for nature, a political and economic shift to a more sustainable
society and strengthened solidarity.
Keywords
women’s narratives; lockdown; COVID-19; pandemic practices; capitals; gender inequalities
Hrčak ID:
255058
URI
Publication date:
1.4.2021.
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