Educating for Care: Women family caregivers between informal care and formal recognition

Abstract

The contribution aims to offer a critical reflection on the role of the family caregiver, placing it within the context of changes in the care professions and welfare policies, with particular attention to gender issues. The demographic transition process, characterized by declining birth rates and structural population ageing, together with the
crisis in welfare systems, has made the role of the caregiver increasingly central. In this context, the contribution supports the hypothesis that the implementation of training and educational programmes for caregivers could represent a strategic lever for social, cultural and pedagogical transformation, which is fundamental in redefining care as a professional field, located at the intersection between family responsibilities, social services and public policies. The proposal is part of the debate on the changing roles of women and the education and care professions, in light of the challenges posed by contemporary welfare.