Gender and policies on paid family care: Overview of debate and theoretical reflections

Abstract

Objective: This article discusses the implications of systematically including policies on paid family care in the concept of care policy for older people for theorizing the relationship between such policies and gender inequality. Background: In theoretical debates about the relationship between gender and care policy, most welfare state researchers agree that policies that support extra-familial care promote women’s participation in formal, paid work and can thus reduce gender inequality. By contrast, the role of policies that offer pay and elements of social security for family care in promoting gender equality is up for debate. Method: This article addresses the aforementioned debates’ key arguments by discussing the relationship between gender equality and care policies that actively support family caregivers. The argument is contextualized with examples of empirical findings from the literature. Results: We argue that, to some degree and under specific conditions, new policies on paid family care have the potential to reduce gender inequality. Conclusion: The article contributes to theoretical debates about gender and care policy by evaluating the implications of systematically including policies on paid family care in the study of care policy. This inclusion could clarify the circumstances under which policy support for family caregivers can contribute to fostering gender equality.

New forms of family care in cultural and institutional contexts. Introduction to the Special Collection

“…As a consequence of these reforms, the unpaid, informal care provided by the (mostly female) spouses or adult children of care-dependent older persons has been partially transformed into a form of publicly co-paid family care (Da Roit & Le Bihan, 2019;Eggers et al, 2024;Frericks et al, 2014;Leitner, 2003). Geissler and Pfau-Effinger (2005) argue that these policies have led to a "semi-formalisation" of family care.…”