The pandemic has exacerbated the struggles faced by many caregivers of children, elderly relatives, disabled loved ones and family members with COVID-19 or other illnesses. With federal investments long stalled in the economy of care, family leave and paid healthcare, as well as other workplace and policy reforms under consideration, the My colleagues and I have weighed in on the role of men in providing unpaid and paid care in a series of posts this year.
They are based on reports from New America that explore cultural, legal and other changes that could allow more men to do this essential work.
But as I wrote in April, it is also true that before and during COVID-19, men are the primary caregivers, both in their families and in their careers.
With the changing gender roles and dynamics between generations, in the future there will be more men taking care of children, which is not only good for men but also for women and society. A series of reports commissioned by the New America Foundation and sponsored by RWJF shed light on the caregiving experiences of nearly 3,000 men as fathers, caregivers, and in their professional careers. . Many people find it extremely beneficial.
For men to succeed in caregiving, the culture must change. The nursing profession encompasses some of the fastest growing jobs, and it’s time to end the stigma and pressure that discourages men from entering those fields. Caring careers should be recognized as rewarding for people of all genders.
Popular media, television, and music continue to perpetuate the idea that black fathers are not in their children’s lives, and that simply isn’t true. Good black fathers do exist, but it takes more time for our experience and contributions to be recognized. A child with a father figure is extremely important and powerful. I find that my children’s view of fatherhood is being shaped by what they see in me… Many obstacles prevent fathers from being fully present in their family day. Because of the environment I grew up in, I deeply understand the forces that hold people back. I am referring not only to a culture that encourages men only to pursue traditionally very narrow male career paths, but also systems that make it difficult for men to leave their jobs when they have just had children or their parents are disabled. Sick. There is no doubt that policymakers can do more to break down those barriers with reforms like paid leave. Here there is also a role for the employer…
I have also seen what caring men can do to help a family grow and prosper… As someone who has been affected by false narratives and is trying to create a new story I am very grateful to be involved in this work. In life at home, I know that I don’t always have the perfect words to express how I feel when I give orders, but my kids know that I love them and so does my wife, because I was able to. show them every day. Nothing is more important to me than that.
The pandemic has caused a rethink in our country about care. RWJF Executive Director, Program, Jennifer Ng’andu interviewed Brigid Schulte, who directs the Better Life Lab at the New America Foundation, about reports on men and care work. They discuss how men value caregiving but lack a supportive office culture and public policy. The reports highlight the need to counter the cultural view that health care is for women and promote equitable policy solutions.
We spoke with men who are nurses, child care workers, and home health aides. They take pride in their caregiving work and find it challenging and fulfilling. However, one in five reports that they feel stigmatized as carers just because they are men… Women are still expected to be the primary caregivers for family members – from infants to the elderly in the family. These outdated views … prevent women from advancing in their careers … [and] prevent men from becoming the engaged and active caregivers our research confirms they want to be.
Get an accurate picture of how gender shapes care and care in the home and in the care economy, and understand the motivations, goals, and barriers that people entering these roles experience. past, are essential foundations for creating the necessary new policies, workplace practices and cultural norms that will lead to a stronger, healthier and more equitable future.
Another study by Better Life Lab and RWJF reconfirms that the US status quo on gender roles, both in the workplace and in the home, is not suitable for many families. Men are missing out on caring roles that enrich their lives and strengthen relationships with loved ones, while women are struggling with role overload, feeling inadequate. support and lack of income and economic mobility. The United States can learn from many other countries that are advancing gender equality through solutions like paid leave that promote health, child development, and family well-being, and promote equity. race.
In Sweden, legislators have redesigned paid leave policies with individual benefits. Instead of defaulting to gender discrimination, each parent receives a specific amount of leave. That means if the father does not take leave, the balance will not be transferable to the mother and the family will be lost… This change in “use or lose” policy results in the acceptance rate of leave from work. father and son in Sweden skyrocketed. from 5 to 90 percent within a few short years…
When policies are carefully designed to address the cultural resistance and stigma associated with men investing care and energy in their children, they are particularly effective. When cultural stigmas and financial penalties are removed, men can and do perform care…
Real solutions to support caring men, women and people of all genders are not out of reach here. We – as a nation – just have to be willing to find them and make them a reality.
We are in the midst of a generation’s moment to reimagine the nation’s care system in partnership with families, parents and guardians, children and service providers.
Join a live conversation about care and care with RWJF President and CEO Richard Besser, MD, and Ai-jen Poo, National Labor Alliance co-founder and chief executive officer, and co-founder. and director of Caring Across Generations. The chat will be held on Thursday, December 9 at 10:30 a.m. EST.
About the author
Gina Hijjawi, PhD, senior program officer, Research-Evaluation-Learning, joined RWJF in 2018. With her deep commitment to bridging the systemic gap in social services and child health, she assesses “opportunities to increase understanding of how serving children and families, the environment, and policies can support the healthy development and well-being of all.” children.
