University of British Columbia Press Carefair: Rethinking the Responsibilities and Rights of Citizenship

We often think of care as personal or intimate, and citzenship aspolitical and public. In Carefair, Paul Kershaw urges us toresist this private/public distinction, and makes a convincing case fortreating caregiving as a matter of citizenship that obliges andempowers everyone in society. Carefair has its roots in the rise of "duty"discourses - in neoliberalism, communitarianism, the thrid way, socialconservatism, and feminism - that advocate renewed appreciation forobligations in civil society. The convergence of these discourses,Kershaw argues, signals the possibility for political compromise infavour of policies that will deter men from free-riding on female care.The author invites readers to rethink the role of care duties andentitlements in their daily lives, in public policy, and in debatesabout social inclusion. He provides a detailed blueprint for morepublic investment in work-family balance, and recommends amendments toCanadian parental leave, child care, and employment standards thatwould collectively form a caregiving framework analogous toworkfare. Review This is a book well worth reading. It squarely addresses a policy issue that is fundamental to the pursuit of quality and equity, it is theoretically engaged while making concrete policy proposals, and it is closely argued ... That stated, Carefair is an important and stimulating book. It should be widely read. -- Hugh Armstrong, Carleton University ― Canadian Journal of Sociology Online, July-August 2006 About the Author Paul Kershaw is a professor in the Faculty of GraduateStudies at the University of British Columbia and a faculty member inthe Human Early Learning Partnership.