Feminist Perspectives on Family Care : Policies for Gender Justice

by Nancy R. Hooyman

• ISBN13: 9780803951433
• ISBN10: 0803951434
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-08-29
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc

Summary

Today women find themselves playing an ever-increasing role in caring for older family members who are frail, developmentally disabled, or suffering from serious mental illness. While this has role of women as caregivers has been documented, the actual impact on the lives of women has remained largely unstudied. In this volume, the authors examine caregiving as a central feminist issue, looking at its impact on women socially, personally, and economically. The authors review how changing family structures, the changing economy and workforce, and the changing health care demands of needy adults have impacted on women's lives. They critique existing public and private policies, demonstrating a need for fundamental structural changes in social institutions and attitudes to improve the lives of women. Finally, they propose a social model of care that is oriented toward gender justice--recognition of the work of caring and its impact upon women socially, personally, and economically. For students, scholars and practitioners in the field of gerontology, gender studies, and social work, this book is a must.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Why a Feminist Perspective?

PART ONE: THE CHANGING SOCIETAL CONTEXT FOR CAREGIVING

America's Changing Families

The Changing American Economy and Workforce

Changing Health Care Needs and Long-Term Care Services

PART TWO: THE CONTEXT, EXTENT AND NATURE OF CAREGIVING FOR DEPENDENTS

The Social, Political, and Historical Context of Caregiving for Dependents

The Gendered Nature of Care

The Consequences of Caring

PART THREE: A FEMINIST CRITIQUE OF CURRENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS

A Feminist Critique of America's Family Policy

A Feminist Critique of Long-Term Care Policies

A Feminist Critique of Family-Related Benefits in the Workplace

PART FOUR: TOWARD A FEMINIST AGENDA FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Economic Supports

A Feminist Approach

Social Services and Social Supports

Gender Justice

Achieving a More Family-Responsive Workplace

National Health Care Reform and Long-Term Care

A Feminist Perspective

Feminist Strategies for Change

Toward a National Caregiver Coalition