Blog #3

I currently do not experience carework in my family. When I was in high school however, carework was a very team-work centered task. Though not all of the members of my family contribute even amounts of time or equal amounts of difficulty level work, each part contributed is crucial in the functioning of the care. For example while both of my parents work full-time jobs, enroll their children in school, extracurricular activates, religious organizations and other obligations to family, friends and community members, they must delegate tasks to other members of the family (namely older children) to help in the functioning. Whether the task at hand is making sure someone gets to an obligation on time, or putting dinner on the table, tutoring, or doing household chores, each child accommodates to help in gaining successful results.

“Juggling Work and Care” brought up the fact that 7 out of 10 care-givers must give up their work at some point, in order to give the needed care. This is a very high number and I believe the most important fact faced in the UK. During one interview, the individual stated that, though he had a very “strange” schedule (he took an approximate 3 hour break during his workday to care for his children) his workplace peers understood that this was necessary and realized that if they came into the situation (which is statistically very likely) that they would also like to enjoy the same privilege. These sorts of policies would impact Americans well if adopted.
Another great point brought up during the course materials was the fact the “women’s work” is essential unpaid labor that is often times not taken into account. This is particularly important when looking at its transference from a personal issue into a public issue. Not only are women now more expected to play roles in the work force, they must also fulfill the role of the stay at home mother. On the Dateline portion of the course materials, one interviewee explained that though she has double the responsibility, it is much more difficult to give up the care-giving role as mother. She also explains that even if the financial pressure is not present, the social pressure is.