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COVID‐19 and raising the value of care

Author

Listed:
  • Bobbi Thomason
  • Inmaculada Macias‐Alonso

Abstract

In this opinion piece, we argue the current pandemic is shining a light on caregiving as critical work that is under‐valued and under‐paid. We call upon national lawmakers to raise the value of care work. Doing so would also make progress in solving another national crisis: closing the gender wage gap. We explore how the gender wage gap is driven primarily by the fact that men and women sort into different work, with women being over‐represented in work where they care for others and in work that allows them to care for their families.

Suggested Citation

  • Bobbi Thomason & Inmaculada Macias‐Alonso, 2020. "COVID‐19 and raising the value of care," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(5), pages 705-708, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:27:y:2020:i:5:p:705-708
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12461
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Francine D. Blau & Lawrence M. Kahn, 2017. "The Gender Wage Gap: Extent, Trends, and Explanations," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 55(3), pages 789-865, September.
    2. Claudia Goldin, 2014. "A Grand Gender Convergence: Its Last Chapter," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(4), pages 1091-1119, April.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zuazu-Bermejo, Izaskun, 2024. "Reviewing feminist macroeconomics for the XXI century," ifso working paper series 30, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Socioeconomics (ifso).

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