Essential Labor: Mothering As Social Change

Care Work

Angela Garbes, author of "Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change," highlights the undervaluation of caregiving work, particularly mothering, in society. She shares her personal journey of realizing the critical role of caregiving during the pandemic, when many mothers were forced out of the workforce due to lack of childcare 1. Garbes emphasizes that caregiving is the foundation of all other work, yet it remains unrecognized and uncompensated 2.

Without people to care, our society was, like, really on its knees, and people were reeling and were lost.

--- Angela Garbes

Dr. Becky Kennedy and Garbes discuss the need for a societal shift to acknowledge caregivers as essential workers, crucial to both family and societal functioning 2.

   

Revolution

The concept of a caregiving revolution is central to Garbes' vision for societal change. She argues that parents and caregivers must recognize themselves as essential workers and advocate for their value 3. Garbes believes that acknowledging the importance of caregiving can lead to broader social change, even if the results are not immediate 1.

I think part of writing this book was I wrote it for myself because I have stood in front of the mirror and said, like, I'm an essential worker.

--- Angela Garbes

This revolution, she suggests, begins with parents valuing their own roles and demanding recognition from society 3.