By Citizen Initiative for the
Promoting the Culture of Dialogue
On November 5 and 6, the Care Economy Colloquium was held at the Higher School of Economics-Section of Graduate Studies and Research of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN). It was organized by the Research Group on Care Economy and Economic Autonomy of that Institution.
The thematic axes of the topics presented by the speakers were: Social and care economy; paid and unpaid care work; sexual division of labor; conciliation policies; and care solutions for priority groups.
Below are some of the most important aspects presented by the participating speakers, both from the academy and representatives of civil organizations and students of that House of Studies.
Reflections on Care, the City and Inequalities
Relevance of care
Care is essential to sustain life, but it has historically been rendered invisible and undervalued, especially due to its unpaid nature and its predominance among women.
Care, gender and structural inequalities
Gender and racial inequalities are intertwined in care work, especially in Latin America, where women take on the majority of unpaid work. This limits their professional development and perpetuates traditional roles.
In urban design, these dynamics are reflected in the lack of equitable and accessible infrastructure that perpetuates inequalities.
Interdependence and sustainability of life
Caregiving highlights human interdependence against the ideal of autonomy. This interdependence is key to collective well-being, especially in contexts of illness, parenting, or aging.
Care in urban space
Care practices are deeply linked to the spaces in which they occur, from public transport to support objects such as wheelchairs or canes. However, urban times and rhythms do not always respond to the needs of those who provide care.
Invisibility of care
The spaces, objects and rhythms associated with care are often made invisible, even though they are fundamental to everyday life.
The historical allocation of care to women has deprived it of economic and social value.
Towards caring cities
A caring city must be designed from a care perspective, integrating inclusive mobility, accessible spaces, care services and equitable policies that distribute these responsibilities between genders.
Politicizing care means recognizing it as a political act and fundamental to social justice.
Caring for caregivers: a necessary reflection
Caregiving, although essential, is often rendered invisible. Caregivers, especially unpaid ones, face multiple challenges that affect their physical, emotional and social well-being.
The role of the informal caregiver
Caregivers are often family members who take on this role for cultural or social reasons, often without choice or preparation.
This situation negatively impacts their health and quality of life.
Impact on the health of caregivers
They face physical problems (muscle disorders, chronic diseases) and psychological problems (depression, exhaustion).
The emotional burden can generate conflicts with the family and the patient.
Social and economic consequences
Caregivers often suffer from social isolation, financial problems and abandonment of their work activities.
In extreme cases, they have to resort to changing residence or selling property to meet medical expenses.
Research on caregivers
Studies in the State of Mexico reveal that 95% of caregivers are women, mostly with low educational levels and suffering from diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
Recommendations to support caregivers
- Physics: Promote healthy habits, rest and delegation of tasks.
- Psychological: Implement support groups and stress management techniques.
- Social: Create support networks and encourage participation in social activities.
Reflections on the Care Economy and Gender and Race Inequalities
The care economy, fundamental to well-being and social reproduction, has historically been relegated and devalued. At a global women’s summit in 2023, gender, racial and economic inequalities were discussed, highlighting how African and Latin American women take on much of the unpaid care work in Europe and North America, respectively, facing a double burden of discrimination.
Care Economy in Latin America
In the region, women are mostly relegated to unpaid work, which perpetuates their exclusion from the formal labour market and limits their participation in decision-making. The dominant economic vision, which values only paid work, ignores the essential contribution of care to society.
Critical Analysis of Care Work
Unpaid work sustains the economy and society, but its devaluation generates inequalities that primarily affect women. These dynamics perpetuate systems of labour exploitation and reinforce economic inequalities, particularly in sectors related to care, where women predominate.
Proposals for Systemic Change
- Labor regulation: Implement equitable parental leave, flexible schedules and decent wages for caregivers.
- Social infrastructure: Ensure accessible care services and improve basic infrastructure in rural areas.
- Inclusive economy: Designing economic policies that ensure decent and sustainable jobs.
- Recognizing care: Quantifying and regulating unpaid work to reduce inequalities.
Some Conclusions:
- Rethinking care from a feminist and relational perspective invites us to question the social and urban dynamics that perpetuate inequalities. Designing caring cities is not just a utopia, but a necessity to guarantee equity and social well-being.
- Caring for caregivers is essential to prevent them from becoming ill as well. Making their work visible, offering comprehensive support and developing specific programs can improve both their quality of life and that of the patient.
- Day care centres significantly reduce the burden on families.
- The costs of informal care are much higher than other out-of-pocket health expenses.
- Public policies are required that integrate formal care models due to their positive economic and social impact.
- It is essential that the care economy be a priority in public policies to close gender gaps and promote a more just and inclusive society.
- Without systemic changes, gender and racial inequalities will continue to widen, with negative effects for society as a whole.
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