Skip to main content

Caregiving as a Social Workforce: Choice, Joy, or Just Economic Activity?

At Vidya Lead Academy, we believe caregiving is more than a duty or an invisible responsibility—it is the foundation of family well-being and a cornerstone of social development. Yet, society continues to debate whether caregiving is a matter of virtue and joy or merely an economic activity contributing to GDP.

There is a big difference between cooking for one’s family out of love and cooking in a commercial kitchen for pay. Similarly, caring for a sick parent, child, or partner at home carries a personal connection that no commercial service can replace. However, when this role is undervalued and unpaid, it often leads to what experts call “time poverty,” especially among women.

The Unpaid vs. Paid Care Work Dilemma

In India, women spend an average of 137 minutes a day on unpaid caregiving, compared to just 75 minutes for men (MoSPI Time Use Survey 2024). This disproportionate burden not only affects women’s mental and physical health but also keeps them away from formal employment, training, and career opportunities.

A recent study in Delhi’s resettlement colonies highlighted the ripple effects of caregiving on families dealing with chronic illness:

  • 42% faced reduced food intake.

  • 31% of caregivers’ jobs were disrupted.

  • 14% of children dropped out of school.

  • 34% of families fell into debt averaging ₹1.8 lakh.

Clearly, caregiving is not just a family matter—it is a public health, economic, and social policy issue.

Beyond Economics: Towards Well-being and Autonomy

When caregiving is seen only as a driver of economic growth, we lose sight of its human essence—connection, resilience, and growth. Families create their own autonomy and safety when caregiving is supported, not penalized. For example, health insurance policies that include caregiver remuneration can strengthen families while reducing the burden of chronic diseases on the healthcare system.

The challenge is not only to count caregiving in surveys but also to reframe it as:

  • A social workforce requiring recognition and training.

  • A professional pathway that blends skill, empathy, and resilience.

  • A well-being measure connected to happiness indices, not just GDP.

Caregiving as a Profession: Vidya Lead Academy’s Vision

At Vidya Lead Academy, we see caregiving as an emerging career choice for young professionals, social workers, and community volunteers. Our upcoming training and capacity-building programs are designed to:

  • Equip caregivers with counseling skills, acudetox techniques, and stress management tools.

  • Build awareness of work-life balance for family caregivers.

  • Provide structured pathways for those interested in professional caregiving roles in NGOs, hospitals, and community health projects.

  • Strengthen home-based support systems by linking social work values with caregiving practice.

As our founder often says: “It’s not just about thinking outside the box—it’s about taking the box out altogether and creating new ways of seeing care.”

A Call for Collaboration

The time has come to recognize caregiving as a critical social workforce sector. Vidya Lead Academy invites:

  • Universities and social work schools to integrate caregiving into curriculum.

  • Corporates and CSR leaders to support caregiver training under skill-building initiatives.

  • Government and NGOs to collaborate on capacity-building for home-based care, especially in urban resettlement areas.

Together, we can transform caregiving from an invisible duty into a visible, respected, and supported profession—benefiting families, communities, and society at large.

📩 For workshops, collaborations, or capacity-building assignments on caregiving and acudetox counselling for work-life balance, contact: vsuneel@gmail.com

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Championing Youth Voice & Values – Bridging Humanities with Healthier Campuses

By Vidya Lead Academy | In collaboration with Nada India Foundation "Empowerment is not something handed down—it is discovered, nurtured, and lived." — Dr. Kakoli Dey The recent session of Vidya Lead Academy , in association with Nada India Foundation , marked a powerful milestone in our mission to shape healthier campuses and conscious young citizens . Students from Manav Rachna International School, Faridabad , joined hands with youth from Shimla and Jamshedpur , bringing with them not just energy and curiosity but an urgent desire to act , reflect , and lead . Under the insightful mentorship of Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan (Life Coach and CEO, Vidya Lead Academy ) and Ms. Hiral Krishnatray , the session created a nurturing environment where young voices felt heard and respected. What emerged was not a lecture—but a shared space for self-discovery , social insight , and purpose-driven learning . A Special Guest with a Transformative Message We were honored to host Prof. ...
1 comment
Read more

Guiding Lights: How Mentorship Illuminates the Path for Today’s Youth

Designed by: Chetan Suwalka Community Action Team (CAT) Member Nada Young India Network for Good Health Guiding Lights: How Mentorship Illuminates the Path for Today’s Youth 🕊️ Bridging the Gap Between Classroom, Community, and Civil Society From our earliest days, guidance from parents, teachers, and elders has played a central role in shaping our values, aspirations, and direction in life. These early mentors serve as the foundation upon which we build our goals. Yet, in the face of today’s rapidly evolving world, traditional guidance—while still essential—often falls short. The development of today’s youth is influenced by a multitude of factors: complex family structures, societal expectations, economic stressors, cultural shifts, and psychological challenges. Navigating such a landscape demands more than academic knowledge. Young people must be equipped with emotional resilience, ethical awareness, decision-making ability, and critical thinking skills to thrive and contribut...
Post a Comment
Read more

Reclaiming Vidya: A Reflection on Anganwadi Centres and the Soul of Learning

  Reclaiming Vidya: A Reflection on Anganwadi Centres and the Soul of Learning By Navpreet Kaur, Intern, Nada India Foundation | June 2025 Cohort, Healthy Campus: Prioritizing Good Health & Well-being Today, I had the opportunity to engage in a deeply thought-provoking conversation with Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan , founder and mentor of Vidya Lead Academy and Chairperson of Nada India Foundation. As part of my internship with Nada Foundation and the Healthy Campus course under Appreciative Enquiry, I’ve been on a journey of rediscovering the roots and purpose of education. Our dialogue focused on a topic that is close to my heart—Anganwadi centers. Growing up, I attended an Anganwadi center before moving to Delhi. Sadly, my memories are not fond ones. The environment was disheartening. Children showed up primarily to receive meals. Teachers, often untrained, were more interested in household tasks like knitting or shelling peas than in teaching or nurturing young minds. Learning...
1 comment
Read more