Care Work: Why does it matter and is there a perfect model?

Authors

  • Rachel Kelly

Keywords:

Care Work, Welfare State, Childcare, Eldercare, Welfare Reform, Gender

Abstract

Care work is a central aspect of welfare systems, yet our care systems are intended to accommodate familial and societal models that are long out of date. Increasing female-labour-market-participation, plummeting fertility rates and a rapidly aging population means elder and child care are more important and more complex than ever before. Such demographic shifts bring a host of new risks and care work, as well as welfare states in general, need to shift in structure to accommodate. This paper will consider both elder and child care in depth, as well as look at their significance in the wider societal context and consider the shifting trends occurring to accommodate the family and societal structures of the 21st century.

References

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Published

2021-08-27