Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/
0000-0002-0255-5312
Abstract
The inequitable division of care between women and men has been central to the perpetuation of gender inequalities in Ireland and internationally. COVID-19 brought new visibility to the caring needs of society and underlined the need for personal and political structures and supports which account for care. During Ireland’s first lockdown, many women were caring for their families and homes, working in paid employment, providing home-schooling and supporting loved ones outside the home. In May 2020, the Women’s Experiences of Caring during COVID-19 online survey sought to capture the experiences of women providing informal, unpaid care during the pandemic. 85% of the 1,416 women respondents said their caring responsibilities had increased since the outbreak. Many women reported that while care was partially shared in their household, they often needed to act as leaders in the home to delegate care activity. Women in paid employment described difficulties balancing such work with increased care needs arising from the pandemic. Women regretted the loss of formal and informal care supports during lockdown, with many feeling they had reached a ‘breaking point’ in coping with care demands. Women reported concern about their loved ones’ wellbeing, as well harbouring worries about the societal impact of the pandemic. Women parenting alone faced considerable challenges as a result of lockdown measures. Finally, some women experienced benefits in lockdown life, particularly in regaining time usually spent commuting.
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Recommended Citation
Loughnane, Cliona and Hayes, Mary
(2024)
"Reaching a 'breaking point' - women’s experiences of caring in Ireland during COVID-19,"
Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies:
Vol. 24:
Iss.
2, Article 1.
Available at:
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijass/vol24/iss2/1