The Care Dilemma

A FINANCIAL TIMES AND THE SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEAR''Important'' Financial Times''Serious and thought-provoking'' The Critic''Brave'' Richard ReevesFamily life has changed dramatically over the past 60 years.Greater choice and autonomy, especially for women, and a more equal domestic sphereÂhave brought great gains for human freedom. However, argues David Goodhart, there have beenÂlosses and unintended consequencesÂtoo –Âin familyÂinstability,Âchildren’s declining mental health,Âand the ever-rising demands onÂthe welfare state and social care system. Sharply falling birthrates also present majorÂchallenges.For many people, especially in the bottom half of the income spectrum, the costsÂare now too high.ÂThe Care DilemmaÂargues 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.