Analysis of care and gender stereotypes in nursing scientific research: a scoping review

Objective: To map evidence about care and gender stereotypes in nursing scientific research. Method: A scoping review developed under the JBI framework with analysis of gender perspective in care approaches. The searches were carried out on January 31, 2023 in SciELO, Scopus, CINAHL, PubMed, BDENF. Results: Of the 3,743 studies located, 25 were included. Evidence was grouped into categories: essentially female care (n = 9; 36%); calling and service of love (n = 3; 12%); erasure of gender inequalities (n = 2; 8%); "inadequate and harmful" care (n = 5; 20%); neutralization of gender and bodies (n = 3; 12%); and reporting oppression in care work (n = 3; 12%). Conclusion: Most scientific research on care reproduces gender stereotypes that reinforce the oppression of women in nursing. In contrast, resistance denounces naturalization of care as "inadequate and harmful", for perpetuating gender oppression in care work.