Overview

This book examines the evolving value of caregiving in Britain, from the welfare state's inception to the present day. It explores the shifts in discourse surrounding care, charting key social, demographic, economic, political and cultural changes which have led to the current 'care crisis'. The author examines five key themes: the tension within institutional Christianity between caring for the marginalized versus maintaining 'respectability'; the secularization of the value of care and its interaction with emerging social divisions; the persistent expectation that women bear the caregiving burden; the economic and social undervaluation of emotional and practical care work; and the challenges facing the care and health sectors. The author suggests that recalibrating the tax system to shift the burden from incomes to profits may be necessary for the survival of welfare systems under these new conditions.

Full Product Details

9781529248173

Table of Contents

Reviews

“Deploying an autobiographical approach and an unusually wide range of sources, this book tells the story of care in Britain through seven decades. Don’t miss it.” Grace Davie, University of Exeter

Author Information

Bernice Martin is Emeritus Reader in Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available