The Care Dilemma: Caring Enough in the Age of Sex Equality (FT BOOK OF THE YEAR)
About this ebook
'Important' Financial Times
'Serious and thought-provoking' The Critic
'Brave' Richard Reeves
Family life has changed dramatically over the past 60 years.
Greater choice and autonomy, especially for women, and a more equal domestic sphere have brought great gains for human freedom. However, argues David Goodhart, there have been losses and unintended consequences too – in family instability, children's declining mental health, and the ever-rising demands on the welfare state and social care system. Sharply falling birthrates also present major challenges.
For many people, especially in the bottom half of the income spectrum, the costs are now too high. The Care Dilemma argues that we need a new policy settlement that supports gender equality while also recognising the importance of stable families and community life, and that sees having children as a public as well as private good.
About the author
David Goodhart is Head of Demography at the think tank Policy Exchange. He is a former Director of Demos, and former Editor of Prospect magazine, which he founded in 1995. David is a prominent figure in public debate in the UK, a well-known broadcaster, author, commentator and journalist, and a commissioner on the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The Care Dilemma is the third in a trilogy of books examining where contemporary Western societies are out of kilter – following the Sunday Times-bestselling The Road to Somewhere and Head Hand Heart.
