Abstract
Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to examine the socio-economic and legal landscape of the commodified care economy by interviewing ten racially diverse women in Sacramento. The participants included care workers and care service consumers representing the supply and demand side of the care economy respectively. The research examined three key areas: the socio-economic and legal factors affecting immigrant women care workers in the care economy; the role of demand-supply gap in driving a care crisis and its impact on service accessibility for vulnerable populations; and the structural factors influencing the commodification of care and its effects on social reproduction processes. Ultimately, the study sought to provide insights into the challenges within the care economy and propose policy interventions to improve conditions for both care workers and recipients.
Conclusions Reached
The women in this study confirmed most of the theories in the literature review. The study's supply-side participants, represented by women care workers, discussed how race, ethnicity, nationality and gender impact on their work experiences. The demand side of the care economy represented by the women care service consumers reveals the issues of accessibility, affordability and appropriateness of care service. Additionally, all the participants confirmed that the commodified nature of care economy reduces the care service to mere economic transactions and neglects its emotional and relational aspects that is one of the root causes of the care crisis. The study recommends better work policies, recognition of the emotional aspect of care work, subsidizing the care service and improved regulations. Lastly, the study suggests that the education system should promote community belonging and empathy rather than individualist values.