Why Care About Care? Our Economy Depends On It

Share this Article

Misunderstood, Underfunded and Undervalued

 

When you combine the 53 million unpaid caregivers with the nearly 5.7 million people working in the care sector —  primarily women of color earning low wages and devoid of benefits and protections  — and the people who benefit from that care, the issue of care impacts everyone.

The care economy, historically undervalued and underfunded, is an intersectional and intergenerational issue encompassing childcare, early childhood education, home-based care for older adults and people with disabilities as well as the caregivers who provide the associated services.

COVID-19 put a spotlight on the critical need to build an infrastructure with policies in place that will appropriately address care on multiple fronts for care workers who provide the services we all need.
On June 15th, 2021, Asset Funders Network and Economic Opportunity Funders hosted a webinar on a new report designed to deepen funders’ understanding of the intersectional/intergenerational issues related to the care economy.

Why Care About Care lays out how care impacts economic recovery, family economic security and asset building, equity and justice, and the well-being of children, older adults, and people with disabilities. The brief highlights polices needed around child care and early education, paid leave, long-term services and supports, and related issues and the ways philanthropy can engage to support the organizations and coalitions working to build the healthy care economy America needs.

WATCH THE WEBINAR & READ THE BRIEF

Related Resources:

Photo credit: Asset Funders Network & Economic Opportunity Funders Brief: Why Care About Care? Our Economy Depends on It

Scroll to Top