Feminist Perspectives on Family Care: Policies for Gender Justice (Family Caregiver Applications series)

This book analyzes the phenomenon of family care for three populations of adult dependents with chronic disabilities: adults with developmental disabilities; adults with serious, persistent mental illness; and the frail elderly. Family care of relatives spanning the life course and across cultures is emphasized. 1. Why A Feminist Perspective? -- I. The Changing Societal Context For Caregiving. 2. America's Changing Families. 3. The Changing American Economy And Workforce. 4. Changing Health Care Needs And Long-term Care Services -- Ii. The Context, Extent, And Nature Of Caregiving For Dependents. 5. The Social, Political, And Historical Context Of Caregiving For Dependents. 6. The Gendered Nature Of Care. 7. The Consequences Of Caring -- Iii. A Feminist Critique Of Current Policies And Programs. 8. A Feminist Critique Of America's Family Policy. 9. A Feminist Critique Of Long-term Care Policies. 10. A Feminist Critique Of Family-related Benefits In The Workplace -- Iv. Toward A Feminist Agenda For Family Caregivers. 11. Economic Supports: A Feminist Approach. 12. Social Services And Social Supports. 13. Gender Justice: Achieving A More Family-responsive Workplace. 14. National Health Care Reform And Long-term Care: A Feminist Perspective. Nancy R. Hooyman, Judith Gonyea. Published In Cooperation With The Center For Practice Innovations, Mandel School Of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 357-393) And Indexes. 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. Examines caregiving as a central feminist issue, looking at its impact on women socially, personally, and economically especially in light of ongoing changes in family structures, the economy and workforce, and health care demands of needy adults