‘The sooner you can change their life course the better’: the time-framing of risks in relationship to being a young carer

Abstract

In this article, we compare accounts given by young carers and specialist support workers about the riskiness of becoming a carer relatively early in life. We argue that since the mid1990s the policy response has problematised the comparatively early adoption of a caring role as a risk factor for future personal development. This temporal issue has become societally organised around concern about NEETs (young adults not in education, employment or training). Such concern is predicated on cultural assumptions, now being undermined in response to economic crisis, about the existence of a critical age for transition to adulthood, successful navigation of which requires a time-limited period of personal freedom. Our findings suggest that, whereas support workers mostly see young caring in terms of risks to future prospects, young carers themselves identify not only current stresses, but also personal gains, from their experiences. Instead of categorising the timing of their caring as a source of risk, young carer respondents questioned service shortcomings which they felt made it harder for them to cope in the present, particularly inadequate social service support for relatives with disabilities and insensitivities in the education system. They did not see service providers as helping them to manage their futures. We locate this tension in risk social science debates about individualisation (Beck and Beck-Gernsheim, 2002;Beck, 1992;Giddens, 1991); transition to adulthood in late modern society (Roberts, 2012;Roberts, 2007; Wyn and Woodman, 2007)

“Something that happens at home and stays at home”: An exploration of the lived experience of young carers in Western Australia

“…For example, being ineligible for financial assistance. This is consistent with other research that support services are, ultimately, not helping young carers manage their future (Heyman & Heyman, ). This is particularly important if we want to maintain the people cared for in the community setting.…”

Children with ill parents: extent and nature of caring activities

“…Lack of access to formal care such as home‐based services, or informal care within the family or network, was other significant factors described in several studies (). Essentially, children were placed into the role of caring when there were no other alternatives .…”

“…Children and adolescents may take on higher extents of caring activities when parents are affected by severe illness or disability, especially in the absence of formal and informal support (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Young carers may be defined as children younger than 18 who provide or intend to provide care and/or support to another family member and regularly perform significant or substantial caring tasks by assuming adult-associated responsibilities' (12).…”

Being we and being me: Exploring the needs of Austrian families with caring children

“…Depending on their age and education history, they may also need support for school or job training. Thus, more flexibility and understanding from teachers, school management or supervisors may be required to enable young carers to fulfil their caring responsibilities and to prepare them for employment (Elf et al, 2011;Frank, 1995;Heyman & Heyman, 2013;McAndrew et al, 2012;Moore & McArthur, 2007).…”