Rights to Belong and Rights to be Left Alone?

Abstract

AbstractA just state should protect and support access to caring relationships. But this suggests a conflict with freedom of association—can rights to access relationships require anyone to enter unwanted relationships? This chapter argues that we have strong interests in avoiding unwanted relationships and that state support for caring relationships risks exacerbating the gendered maldistribution of emotional labour and the burdens of interaction. Providing access through institutions does not resolve the problem. These considerations ground a ‘right to be left alone’; state support for social resources must be combined with stronger protections against harassment, in order not to exacerbate existing injustice.