The general framework of informal care differs significantly between Germany and Sweden. The
present paper analyses these differences and their impact on family carers situation based on the
multidimensional concept of social exclusion.
Elder care in Germany is provided within the framework of a Bismarkian, conservative corporatist
welfare state. The design of the German supplemental care benefits results in familialism, particularly
for carers of lower socio economic classes. Its strong male bread winner model and strong traditional
gender role expectations constitute a high risk of marginalisation for women.
The swedish welfare system is considered to be social democratic. De-familializing strategies,
comparatively weak traditional gender role expectations, a weak male breadwinner model and
comprehensive public care provision minimizes the risk of marginalisation for carers.
The results of recent European surveys support the hypothesis of a lower risk of marginalisation for
carers in Sweden: Swedish carers face a far lower risk of exclusion from the labour market, a lower
risk of financial marginalisation, are less likely affected by health impairments and face a lower risk of
social isolation compared to German carers.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Social exclusion and family carers
3 Welfare state architectures, gender ideologies and their impact on family carers
4 Design and effect of German care benefits
5 Design of the Swedish welfare benefits
6 Characteristics of family carers and care situations in Germany and Sweden
7 Findings of marginalisation of family carers in Germany and Sweden
7.1 Dimension of labour market participation
7.2 Financial dimension
7.3 Dimension of carers health
7.4 Dimension of social relationships
7.5 Dimension of spatial availability of services and institutional coverage of demand
7.6 Institutional exclusion
8 Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the differing welfare state frameworks in Germany and Sweden and their respective impacts on the risk of social exclusion for family carers. By applying a multidimensional concept of social exclusion, the research investigates whether structural architectures act as barriers to labor market participation and social integration, or provide necessary support for caregivers.
- Comparison of German (conservative-corporatist) and Swedish (social-democratic) welfare models.
- Impact of gender ideologies and the "breadwinner" model on caregiver marginalization.
- Analysis of structural barriers to labor market participation for family carers.
- Evaluation of social and health-related outcomes for caregivers in both countries.
Excerpt from the Book
7.1 Dimension of labour market participation
Employment has an eminent importance as it is linked to the availability of economical resources, social status of individuals, social identity, availability of social relationships and (at least within the conservative corporatist states) benefits of the welfares state (cf. BÖHNKE 2006: 82). Exclusion from labour market occurs when access to employment is difficult or prevented enduringly (KRONAUER 1997: 39). 57,7% of family carers of the German sample (N=1003) are unemployed, whereas 66,1% of the Swedish sample (N=919) are not working (EUROFAMCARE CONSORTIUM 2006: 112). But the reasons for this have to be illuminated to clarify, whether family carers are excluded from work. Most of the Swedish informal carers are retired while this applies to a far smaler proportion of German carers (see table 1, below). In Germany almost a third of the carers is econimically dependent on the care dependent since they are housekeepers an thus not participating in the labour market – a situation highly compatible with the Bismarckian welfare state based on the single breadwinner ideal.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the demographic challenges facing aging societies and introduces the research focus on the impacts of different welfare state responses on family carers.
2 Social exclusion and family carers: Defines the theoretical framework of social exclusion and its dimensions, establishing the basis for analyzing how structural barriers affect informal caregivers.
3 Welfare state architectures, gender ideologies and their impact on family carers: Examines how different welfare regimes and gender role expectations shape the support landscape and responsibilities for family carers.
4 Design and effect of German care benefits: Analyzes the German Long Term Care Insurance system and its tendency toward familialist outcomes based on the principle of subsidiarity.
5 Design of the Swedish welfare benefits: Outlines the Swedish tax-based, social-democratic care system and its emphasis on de-familializing strategies and public service provision.
6 Characteristics of family carers and care situations in Germany and Sweden: Compares the demographics, care intensities, and motivations of caregivers in both countries.
7 Findings of marginalisation of family carers in Germany and Sweden: Provides a detailed empirical assessment of exclusion across dimensions like labor market participation, financial stability, health, and social relationships.
8 Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming higher risks of marginalization for German carers compared to their Swedish counterparts due to different welfare orientations.
Keywords
Social exclusion, family carers, welfare state, Germany, Sweden, labor market, marginalization, informal care, care benefits, gender ideology, breadwinner model, long-term care insurance, social rights, de-familialization, social isolation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on comparing the social exclusion risks faced by family carers in Germany and Sweden, analyzing how different welfare state structures influence their life situations.
What are the primary themes addressed?
Key themes include welfare state architectures, the role of gender ideologies in care, labor market impacts, and the multidimensional nature of social exclusion for caregivers.
What is the main research question?
The research asks whether the architectures of the German and Swedish welfare states constitute barriers that exclude family carers from participating in society, or whether they recognize and support social rights.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The study follows a triangulation approach, combining theoretical analysis of welfare architectures with the evaluation of recent quantitative and qualitative data from European surveys.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the design of national care benefits, the characteristics of caregiving situations, and six specific dimensions of social exclusion, including financial, health, and labor market impacts.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Social exclusion, family carers, welfare state comparison, labor market participation, and care policy are central to the work.
Why are German carers at a higher risk of financial marginalization compared to Swedish ones?
German carers face higher risks because the conservative-corporatist model often necessitates leaving the labor market, leading to de-qualification and reduced pension entitlements, whereas the Swedish model promotes continuous employment through de-commodified public services.
What role does the "breadwinner" model play in this analysis?
The "strong" breadwinner model in Germany is identified as a factor that reinforces the gendered nature of care, keeping women economically dependent and within the domestic sphere, unlike the "weak" breadwinner model found in Sweden.
- Citar trabajo
- Pascal Barth (Autor), 2010, Social Exclusion of Family Carers in Different Welfare State Regimes. A Comparison between Germany and Sweden, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/188870
