THE KIN CARE TRAP: THE UNPAID LABOR OF LONG TERM CARE

In: Socialist review: SR, Band 23, Heft 1, S. 83-106

Abstract

THIS PAPER DISCUSSES THE BURDEN OF KIN CARE BY OUTLINING THE SIZE OF THE CHRONICALLY ILL POPOULATION AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE WHO PROVIDE CARE. IT SHOWS HOW GENDER-BIAS IN LONG-TERM CARE IS REFLECTED IN OTHER POLICY ARENAS AS WELL. IT NOTES THAT EVEN THE MOST PROGRESSIVE LONG TERM CARE PLAN TO DATE ASSUMES A POOL OF WOMEN TO PROVIDE LOW-WAGE CAREGIVING AND AN EVEN LARGER POOL OF WOMEN TO PROVIDE UNPAID CARE. FINALLY, IT SPECULATES ON THE POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE.