Homelessness among women and children is a growing concern, shaped by intersecting structural inequities. Service providers working with women who are homeless, particularly those who are pregnant and/or parenting young children, navigate complex responsibilities that span legal, medical, housing, child welfare, and psychosocial domains. These responsibilities are often carried out in under-resourced environments and in response to trauma rooted in systemic injustice. A feminist pragmatist perspective recognizes the relational, embodied, and context-specific nature of this work, and values the insights of direct care providers as essential to shaping equitable and responsive care.
Our study purpose is to deepen our understanding of the ethical tensions and emotional and embodied labor inherent in the work of service providers who work with pregnant and/or parenting women who are homeless, while advocating for structural reforms that support both client outcomes and provider well-being.
Awareness of the human condition and a commitment to relational, justice-oriented care are central to effective service delivery. Health systems must prioritize equity and justice, ensuring that nurses and service providers are empowered and supported as advocates for pregnant and/or parenting women who are homeless.
