People across the world struggle to keep on top of their paid work and unpaid domestic duties. Some have the option of freeing up time by outsourcing work to others – often poorer or racialized women – who can in turn struggle to meet their own domestic and familial responsibilities and continue the transfer on to others. These global care chains, which have been likened to a ‘global pyramid scheme’, can span great distances, within countries and across borders.
Angela is struggling to get everything done. She’s under a lot of stress at work; she has just been made a consultant doctor at a London hospital. Trying to make sure her two kids are well looked after, keeping the house clean and everyone fed, on top of looking after her elderly father who has just moved in, is too much. Her partner, Simon, ‘helps out’ around his also demanding work schedule, but ultimately, making sure everything is covered falls to Angela and the stress is keeping her awake at night. She’s at breaking point.
