246. The Answer to Caregiving Burnout with Ai-jen Poo
Oct 3, 2023
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Ai-jen Poo, an advocate for caregivers, discusses the challenges faced by caregivers, the impact of sexism and racism on caregivers, the devaluation of domestic labor, the importance of living while caregiving, the value of care squads, the need for affordable quality childcare, and the significance of care in society.
Establishing a robust care infrastructure is crucial, prioritizing policies for affordable childcare, paid family and medical leave, and support for the care workforce.
Recognizing care work as skilled and valuable is essential to address the care crisis and promote economic stability.
Single mothers face significant challenges in balancing work, childcare, and caregiving responsibilities, highlighting the need for policies that provide support and alleviate burdens.
Deep dives
Need for Care Infrastructure
The podcast episode highlights the importance of establishing a robust care infrastructure in society. The current system is failing caregivers, especially women of color, who are undervalued and underpaid for their vital work. The episode emphasizes that care is mission-critical and should be prioritized with policies that provide affordable and accessible childcare, paid family and medical leave, and support for the care workforce. The speaker urges listeners to raise their voices, ask candidates about their care policies, and vote for change.
Societal Impact of Care Crisis
The care crisis affects millions of individuals and families, with many struggling to balance caring for children, aging parents, and other dependents. The episode discusses the need to recognize care work as skilled and valuable, challenging the existing hierarchies of human value that devalue women's contributions. It highlights how the lack of affordable and accessible care undermines economic stability and perpetuates inequalities. The episode emphasizes the urgent need for policies that support caregivers and ensure a well-compensated care workforce.
The Burden on Single Moms and Exploitation
The episode focuses on the challenges faced by single mothers who bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities. It highlights the financial and emotional strain single moms experience when trying to balance work, childcare, and caring for aging parents. The speaker emphasizes that the current system exploits caregivers and fails to provide necessary support. The need for policies, such as affordable and accessible childcare and paid family medical leave, is emphasized to alleviate the burdens placed on single moms.
Importance of Building a Care Squad
Building a care squad is crucial for individuals managing caregiving responsibilities. The episode encourages individuals to proactively identify and engage supportive people they can rely on during caregiving challenges. A care squad consists of individuals who can provide practical help, emotional support, sage advice, or simply listen and empathize. By fostering a care squad, caregivers can alleviate some of the burdens they face and create a network that understands and supports their needs.
Taking Action for Care Policy Change
To address the care crisis, the episode urges listeners to take action. It advises individuals to ask political candidates about their plans to improve care, such as affordable childcare, paid family medical leave, and support for caregivers. By sharing personal care stories with local press and engaging in conversations about care policies, individuals can help shift the narrative and increase awareness. The episode underlines that voters' voices and votes hold immense power in bringing about the necessary policy changes.
Today is a tribute to the everyday efforts of all caregivers who are holding up the sky for everyone else.
Ai-jen Poo is here shining a light on why caregivers are exhausted, unsupported, and overwhelmed – all while doing the work that makes everything else possible.
We talk about how to give the people we love the care they deserve without neglecting our own needs, and what can be done to right the systemic failures that leave caregivers fending for themselves. Plus, we hear a heartfelt message from a Pod Squader who represents so many of us in the sandwich (or “panini”) generation.
About Ai-jen:
Ai-jen Poo is an award-winning organizer, author, and a leading voice in the women’s movement. She is the President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Executive Director of Caring Across Generations, Senior Advisor to Care in Action, Co-Founder of SuperMajority, and a Trustee of the Ford Foundation.
Ai-jen is a nationally recognized expert on caregiving, the future of work, and what’s at stake for women of color. She is the author of the celebrated book, The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America.
