Reciprocity need not be in kind. Hoagland's main criticism of Noddings's relational ethics is that it is based on unequal relationships which reflect a heterosexist model of relations. Since gender is a social construction, what it means to be a man or a woman is shaped by patriarchy . Based on this premise, Hoagland offers the following criticisms of feminine ethics. Hoagland rejects Noddings's assumption that inequalities in ability make a relationship an unequal one.
Unequal relationships work against the caring-one's interests.
There is a difference between reciprocity and receptivity which has to do with returning favors in kind. Noddings's carers are called to care regardless of their circumstances and with little regard to costs to themselves.