An Analysis of Caregiving Work

SynopsisCaregiving work makes extensive time demands. Like housework, this work when performed in households is usually underpaid and isolated; it is largely carried out by women; its extent is usually underestimated as it is hidden from the public view; it is unspecialised, and like household work it fills in around available services. This paper presents an empirical analysis of the nature of caregiving tasks performed by mothers of children who have significant physical disability. The data reported is derived from a time-use study and a semi-structured interview with mothers.