Re-constructing Reward for Unpaid Care Work: Norms and Constraints in Context

Abstract

The care economy is a developing ecosystem, with the potential to transform lives, societies, and economies. Research and strategies to transform the sector have centred around the globally agreed-upon 5Rs framework of Recognition, Redistribution, Reduction, Reward of Care Work, and Representation of care workers in decision-making and policy. The innovations around reward have, however, been limited to formalisation of paid care work, which is often in the informal sector, amounting to increases in remuneration and benefits for this category of workers. Unpaid care workers at the household level are consequently excluded from these interventions because they still are not considered a part of the formal or informal workforce.  This article approaches the reward for unpaid care work (UCW) from the perspective of norms and restrictions around women’s agency to participate in income-generating activities. The rationale for the study is based on the premise that this category is not addressed, and it significantly impacts women over their life courses. It examines the reward for UCW through the gender role theory, which ascribes specific duties to women, and the life course theory, which connects gendered activities to life outcomes. This study uses descriptive statistics obtained through a survey and qualitative data obtained from focus group discussions with men to amplify the norms that dictate women’s work engagement and their ability to control monetary resources. Based on this, it presents the need for monetary and non-financial rewards for UCW to improve well-being and promote positive trajectories in women’s life courses.