Care is undervalued in our society. Those who leave a job to care for children or elderly parents are thought of as “opting out”, when they’re often working harder than ever before.
It’s time to change our culture. Caring isn’t weak. Jobs in care – from nursery through to retirement homes – are not an easy option worthy only of the minimum wage. And sacrificing the opportunity to earn a living for the sake of your family is not laziness.
Caring means nurturing children and providing for the next generation. It means helping family and friends through adulthood. It means providing dignity and compassion to those we love in old age.
Whether you care for others instead of a paid job, alongside a paid job or in your paid job – you are a hero.