Care Leaves and Care Time for All

“People often listen politely to ideas about Caring Democracy and then dismiss them because they believe that there is no way to get there from here. Doucet and Moss demonstrate that, starting from existing policies and thinking about the requirements of care – relationality, responsiveness and responsibility – it is possible to craft and implement public policies to create caring democracies, caring economies and a caring world. Their ‘bold, yet modest proposal’ is indeed a way to create a transformed world in which the economy is reorganised so that there can be time and space for everyone to care for everyone and everything of importance. Because bold action is, as they insist, the only way forward in this time of polycrisis. These proposals deserve to be widely read, discussed and implemented by everyone committed to democracy and to the health of the planet.” Joan C. Tronto, University of Minnesota (Emerita)

“Doucet and Moss challenge us to think differently about care: how care is valued, provided and received. At a time of care crisis globally, this book is greatly needed. Written with wisdom and years of policy experience behind them, Doucet and Moss provide a text that is a must-read for all who are interested in the public and private provision of care.” Marian Baird, University of Sydney

“Demonstrating welfare, policy and temporal imagination, Doucet and Moss creatively propose a world organised around an ethic of care. A ‘real utopia’ is accessibly discussed. Inclusive ideas for extending ‘care leaves’ and mechanisms to support ‘care time’, built on seeds of present policies, are doable. Their welcome proposal can ultimately and ambitiously contribute towards transforming capitalism into a care economy. This is a must-read.” Mary P Murphy, Maynooth University

“Grounded in ILO research, frameworks and global policy debates, this book advances an inclusive and pioneering proposal for rights-based care leaves and care time for all. It responds to the care crisis at a time of polycrisis by promoting universal, life-course access to care and its provision, including self-care, and contributes to a sea change towards more caring economies, democracies and worlds.” Laura Addati, Maternity Protection and Work–Family Specialist and Coordinator of the ILO Plan of Action on Decent Work and the Care Economy

“This important book helps to move care policy thinking beyond a narrow employment-based concept of care leave. Endorsing an ecological and life-course approach, it demonstrates how care needs are universal and time-enduring. Care leave is not simply a concern for those in waged employment; there is a universal and persistent need for care time for all. By employing a time-focused perspective on care, the book forces a rethinking of the relationship between time, care and policy making.” Kathleen Lynch, University College Dublin (Emerita)

“It’s about time! We can’t take adequate care of ourselves or others if we fail to reward productive activities that take place outside The Market. This book makes a thoughtful case for bold policies that could move us toward a truly sustainable economy.” Nancy Folbre, University of Massachusetts Amherst (Emerita)