Why did some feminist philosophers criticize the ethics of care?

Some feminist philosophers have criticized the ethics of care due to concerns regarding the potential for personal sacrifice and the imbalance of responsibilities within relationships.1

A primary critique is that the demands of caregiving can prevent women from pursuing their own professional projects, goals, and personal development. Because caregiving often involves one individual being chronically or temporarily dependent on another, the caregiver may shoulder a disproportionate share of the relationship's burdens. This creates a significant challenge in striking a proper balance between caring for others and caring for oneself.1

Additionally, while the ethics of care emphasizes interpersonal morality and emotional responsiveness, some critics have examined how these responsibilities are negotiated and how individuals consolidate their moral identities within social processes. By focusing on intimate, non-reciprocal relationships, the theory has faced scrutiny regarding how it addresses the potential for self-neglect or the exploitation of those who perform the labor of care.12