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TWO The social security system and gender: unpaid care, paid work and agency

Abstract

This chapter details gendered aspects of the 1940s welfare reforms and shows how demographics have changed considerably since these reforms were introduced. It also explains that there has also been a shift in the UK social security system’s treatment of women, with increasing expectations of undertaking paid work. Following this, the chapter explains how women’s ongoing disadvantaged position in the social security system is related to the dominant gendered concept of citizenship. It then discusses the difficulties in creating a more gender-inclusive citizenship framework that both promotes paid work and supports unpaid care. The chapter ends by explaining how policies that help develop a more gender-inclusive citizenship framework, with a specific focus on affording women agency, can be implemented.

Abstract

This chapter details gendered aspects of the 1940s welfare reforms and shows how demographics have changed considerably since these reforms were introduced. It also explains that there has also been a shift in the UK social security system’s treatment of women, with increasing expectations of undertaking paid work. Following this, the chapter explains how women’s ongoing disadvantaged position in the social security system is related to the dominant gendered concept of citizenship. It then discusses the difficulties in creating a more gender-inclusive citizenship framework that both promotes paid work and supports unpaid care. The chapter ends by explaining how policies that help develop a more gender-inclusive citizenship framework, with a specific focus on affording women agency, can be implemented.

Chapters in this book

  1. Front Matter i
  2. Contents v
  3. List of tables and figure vi
  4. List of abbreviations vii
  5. About the author viii
  6. Acknowledgements ix
  7. Introduction 1
  8. The social security system and gender: unpaid care, paid work and agency 13
  9. Universal Credit and the new conditionality regime for mothers 31
  10. Universal Credit and unpaid care: “we’re doing a massive job anyway” 53
  11. Universal Credit and paid work: “you can job search and job search and not get anywhere” 78
  12. Universal Credit and agency: “there’s no element of choice” 106
  13. Conclusion 132
  14. References 149
  15. Index 176
Welfare That Works for Women?
This chapter is in the book Welfare That Works for Women?
https://doi.org/10.56687/9781447366409-006

Chapters in this book

  1. Front Matter i
  2. Contents v
  3. List of tables and figure vi
  4. List of abbreviations vii
  5. About the author viii
  6. Acknowledgements ix
  7. Introduction 1
  8. The social security system and gender: unpaid care, paid work and agency 13
  9. Universal Credit and the new conditionality regime for mothers 31
  10. Universal Credit and unpaid care: “we’re doing a massive job anyway” 53
  11. Universal Credit and paid work: “you can job search and job search and not get anywhere” 78
  12. Universal Credit and agency: “there’s no element of choice” 106
  13. Conclusion 132
  14. References 149
  15. Index 176
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