The Care Dilemma

<p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(33 37 41 1)>A <em>FINANCIAL TIMES</em> AND <em>THE SPECTATOR</em> BOOK OF THE YEAR</strong></p><p></p><p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(33 37 41 1)>'Important' <em>Financial Times</em></strong></p><p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(33 37 41 1)>'Serious and thought-provoking' <em>The Critic</em></strong></p><p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(33 37 41 1)>'Brave' Richard Reeves</strong></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(33 37 41 1)>Family life has changed dramatically over the past 60 years.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(33 37 41 1)>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.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(33 37 41 1)>For many people especially in the bottom half of the income spectrum the costs are now too high. </span><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(33 37 41 1)>The Care Dilemma</em><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(33 37 41 1)> 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.</span></p><p></p>