Valuing Caregivers and Families
HEALTHY CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Caregiving makes almost everything in this country possible. All caregivers want the time and resources to give their families the best opportunities, but their contributions often go unrecognized and unrewarded. We work to ensure caregivers have the resources they need to raise healthy, thriving children.
Care and Our Shared History
Caregiving has the power to uplift and transform communities. But for centuries it has been unfairly relegated to women, and especially women of color, without appropriate recognition of or compensation for their work. This is due to our country's history of slavery and persists today through societal norms that prioritize economic productivity. Together, we can transform this narrative and recognize the immeasurable value and contributions of all caregivers, especially those who have historically been marginalized.
Caregiving for Caregivers
To build a future where health is for everyone, we must create new systems that truly value children and families, and the caregivers who support us all. Providing care has historically, and inequitably, been delegated to women and women of color. But all of us are likely to be caregivers or need care someday—whether to welcome the arrival of a new child, support an ailing family member, or provide care for oneself.
Unfortunately, our political and social systems are intentionally designed to only support some of us when we need or provide care. We must value all caregiving work by providing a livable wage and the full range of benefits to caregivers, including healthcare and paid time off.
At RWJF we are working alongside others to bring these visions to reality
- We support research on care and caregiving, and how our society can better support these critical functions.
- Our work aims to shift inaccurate notions of what constitutes a family, and ensure that families of all kinds, especially those that may not conform to antiquated cultural norms, are seen, understood, and valued.
- We support advocates pushing to better value caregiving and to ensure all families have the resources they need to thrive.
Related News and Insights
Read expert perspectives and the latest research from RWJF to explore the opportunities and complexities of this topic.
Squeezed Podcast
In this seven-part series by Lemonada Media, created in partnership with the RWJF, actress and caregiver Yvette Nicole Brown looks at caregiving over the course of a lifetime, exploring the lives of everyday people, spotlighting the daily dramas, hardships and joys of caregiving across America.
Spotlight: Every Family Forward
Hearing directly from families and caregivers is essential to understanding the assets they draw from and where they need support. Every Family Forward (EFF) is dedicated to sharing the lived experiences of parents, caregivers, and children.
Caring Around the World
What can the world teach us about supporting families?
Cities and countries around the world are designing innovative policies and programs to support caregivers and value their contributions. Find out what the U.S. can learn from their efforts to help all families thrive.