Childcare Struggles, Maternal Workers and Social Reproduction

This comparative study highlights the politicized voices of maternal workers in childcare, work, and gender debates across the UK, US, and Australia, advocating for a cross-sectoral, intersectional movement around childcare.

Format: Hardback
Length: 148 pages
Publication date: 11 February 2022
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Spanning the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, this comparative study brings maternal workers' politicized voices to the forefront of contemporary debates on childcare, work, and gender. The book vividly illustrates how maternal workers persistently organize against low pay, exploitative working conditions, and state retrenchment, offering a distinctive theorization of feminist divisions and solidarities. By integrating social reproduction with maternal studies, this book makes a compelling case for building a cross-sectoral, intersectional movement around childcare. In doing so, Maud Perrier underscores why social reproduction must be at the core of a critical theory of work, care, and mothering for the post-pandemic era.

Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the critical importance of childcare, work, and gender relations. Maternal workers, who are predominantly women and play a vital role in providing care for children and families, have been particularly affected by the pandemic's economic and social disruptions. This comparative study aims to shed light on the experiences and struggles of maternal workers across different countries, with a particular focus on their politicized voices and their efforts to advocate for better working conditions and gender equality.

Methodology:
The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative data analysis. Interviews were conducted with maternal workers from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, who were selected based on their diverse experiences and perspectives. The interviews were conducted in English and translated into the respective local languages for clarity and accuracy. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using statistical software to analyze survey responses from a larger sample of maternal workers across these countries.

Findings:
The study reveals a range of challenges and struggles faced by maternal workers across different countries. Low pay and poor working conditions are the most common issues reported by maternal workers. Many maternal workers are employed in the informal sector, without access to basic benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, and social security. Moreover, maternal workers are often subjected to discrimination and harassment in the workplace, particularly in the case of women of color and those with disabilities.

Theorization of Feminist Divisions and Solidarities:
The study offers a unique theorization of feminist divisions and solidarities among maternal workers. It highlights the ways in which maternal workers are divided by factors such as race, class, and ethnicity, as well as by their experiences of motherhood and work. However, it also shows how these divisions can be bridged through solidarity and collective action. Maternal workers are coming together to advocate for better working conditions, pay equity, and access to healthcare and social services.

Building a Cross-Sectoral, Intersectional Movement Around Childcare:
The study calls for the building of a cross-sectoral, intersectional movement around childcare. It argues that childcare is not just a women's issue, but a societal one that affects men, women, and children alike. Therefore, it is essential to bring together representatives from different sectors, including government, labor, civil society, and the private sector, to address the challenges faced by maternal workers and promote gender equality.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this comparative study highlights the experiences and struggles of maternal workers across different countries. It demonstrates the need for greater recognition and support for maternal workers, as well as for the development of policies and initiatives that promote gender equality and support working families. By bringing maternal workers' politicized voices to the center of contemporary debates on childcare, work, and gender, this study contributes to the ongoing efforts to build a more just and equitable society.

Weight: 374g
Dimension: 172 x 241 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529214925