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Forum The Care Dilemma Caring Enough in the Age of Sex Equality.
A FINANCIAL TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR
'Important' Financial Times
'Serious and thought-provoking' The Critic
'Brave' Richard Reeves
Family life has changed dramatically over the past 60 years.
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.
For many people, especially in the bottom half of the income spectrum, the costs are now too high. The Care Dilemma 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.
'Important' Financial Times
'Serious and thought-provoking' The Critic
'Brave' Richard Reeves
Family life has changed dramatically over the past 60 years.
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.
For many people, especially in the bottom half of the income spectrum, the costs are now too high. The Care Dilemma 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.
- GenresNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Published October 24, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 10, 2024
I mostly enjoyed this. I think the author makes a fair assessment of the issues that modern women in Britain face. I think some of his proposals for how to get through the problems are good, but I don’t think they’re anything that will be taken seriously by politicians.
I’m not sure he made a strong enough case against the current culture of autonomy. I’m surprised he hadn’t noticed that the advent of the pill, making parenthood optional and the exclusive responsibility of women, has contributed to the falling birth rate. He sees the pill as a good thing, when really it hasn’t done women very many favours, in terms of long term health and in the pressure on avoiding children. He did mention some of Mary Eberstadt’s work on it, but made broadly positive statements about the benefits for women.
I really did appreciate how he’s read thinkers like Mary Harrington, Louise Perry, and Erica Bachiochi and has taken their thoughts on board.
Overall I appreciate his contribution to the conversation around care and family life in modern Britain, I think it’s so needed, I just don’t think he goes far enough. It’s also very hard to convince people to do something difficult, when an easier route exists. Without a serious defence of why we should make our lives inconvenient (which theology gives you with the way it views suffering as potentially redemptive) then parenthood and caring remain optional add ons that only the slightly insane take on - “better them than us”.
I’m not sure he made a strong enough case against the current culture of autonomy. I’m surprised he hadn’t noticed that the advent of the pill, making parenthood optional and the exclusive responsibility of women, has contributed to the falling birth rate. He sees the pill as a good thing, when really it hasn’t done women very many favours, in terms of long term health and in the pressure on avoiding children. He did mention some of Mary Eberstadt’s work on it, but made broadly positive statements about the benefits for women.
I really did appreciate how he’s read thinkers like Mary Harrington, Louise Perry, and Erica Bachiochi and has taken their thoughts on board.
Overall I appreciate his contribution to the conversation around care and family life in modern Britain, I think it’s so needed, I just don’t think he goes far enough. It’s also very hard to convince people to do something difficult, when an easier route exists. Without a serious defence of why we should make our lives inconvenient (which theology gives you with the way it views suffering as potentially redemptive) then parenthood and caring remain optional add ons that only the slightly insane take on - “better them than us”.
March 11, 2025
How we care for our children, our elderly or others who need support in society tells us so much about the way we live.
Goodhart illuminates the challenges faced by a society who historically leaned on the family, and particularly the unpaid work for women in order to provide this care. While few would advocate turning back the clock, it seems unlikely that technology or immigration can fill this vacuum.
So what options are left for society, or the state, in developing the future of care.? Goodhart frames up the key points clearly, supplements personal and subjective views with plenty of sources and data and isn't afraid to prescribe recommended actions.
Came away with a real interest in what pollicymakers can do to improve this situation, but equally a sense of the branding job that could be done with care work and the fascinating insight that so many people derive more satisfaction from this work than other careers.
A book that will stay with me.
The freedoms afforded to women to pursue a career
Goodhart illuminates the challenges faced by a society who historically leaned on the family, and particularly the unpaid work for women in order to provide this care. While few would advocate turning back the clock, it seems unlikely that technology or immigration can fill this vacuum.
So what options are left for society, or the state, in developing the future of care.? Goodhart frames up the key points clearly, supplements personal and subjective views with plenty of sources and data and isn't afraid to prescribe recommended actions.
Came away with a real interest in what pollicymakers can do to improve this situation, but equally a sense of the branding job that could be done with care work and the fascinating insight that so many people derive more satisfaction from this work than other careers.
A book that will stay with me.
The freedoms afforded to women to pursue a career
November 10, 2025
An excellent and important book that covers topics that many will be uncomfortable with, in particular the consequences of female emancipation on female fertility and the future of the human species. Whatever your reaction, it is still important to understand how we have got here, when the threat of depopulation has replaced the fear of overpopulation.
I remember The Population Bomb first hitting the headlines and I spent five decades with the expectation of an ever-expanding human race. It's a jolt to realise that I might actually live to see the world's population begin to fall.
The other topics are also covered in depth. The book raises a lot of questions, and I hope they start to be asked more widely, and by our politicians, before it's too late.
I remember The Population Bomb first hitting the headlines and I spent five decades with the expectation of an ever-expanding human race. It's a jolt to realise that I might actually live to see the world's population begin to fall.
The other topics are also covered in depth. The book raises a lot of questions, and I hope they start to be asked more widely, and by our politicians, before it's too late.
December 23, 2025
Well-balanced analysis with a lot of data.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews