看見無酬照顧者：女性家庭照顧者被就業市場排除的旅程

Abstract

女性更容易成為無酬的家庭照顧者，然而在女性勞動參與率逐漸提升的台灣社會，卻似乎未對此就業排除情境有所對策，有就業意願女性的就業權益因為家庭照顧而被忽視，也是我國勞動市場的巨大損失。本研究期待瞭解女性照顧者被就業市場排除的過程，從踏入照顧場域的考量因素、在照顧與工作間穿梭的經驗與感受，再探討與照顧角色的拉扯中，工作角色遭遇的挑戰與因應方式，最後是女性照顧者對於政策面的體悟與建議。本研究採用質性研究方法，共訪談6位女性照顧者，研究結果歸納如下：一、女性擔任家庭照顧者的決策經驗：考量層面分為三類，一為個人，包含個人外顯特徵、內在情感考量以及外部現實情境因素；二為被照顧者，包含需要相對穩定的環境、習慣與照顧者的生活模式、傾向同性別子女照顧。第三類為手足關係與照顧功能，包含手足照顧能力不足、曾經有照顧不佳紀錄、彼此照顧認知的差異以及手足計較照顧的公平性。二、「照顧」與「就業」對女性照顧者的意義：照顧是責任、回報養育之恩與對家庭情感的延續；而就業最重要的是收入，再者是成就感與興趣、學習新知能及回饋社會，照顧未必是女性自願選擇的，而工作對照顧者來說是重要的生活調劑。另女性照顧者在兩者間穿梭的經驗，負向與正向皆有之。三、女性照顧者在就業端面臨的困境：包含被迫辭職/退休、減少工作時間、工作調整的困難、社會的照顧者歧視。現行長照2.0無法幫助女性照顧者兼顧工作，且因為著重於社區、居家照顧，而弱化其他具替代照顧效果的可能方案。最後，本研究綜整巨視、中介及微視層次的研究建議，期使女性照顧者在國家政策中的主體性得以被突顯，其就業需求得以受重視。Women exhibit a higher propensity to assume the role of unpaid family caregivers. However, in Taiwan, a country where the rate of female labor force participation is progressively rising, there appears to be a lack of measures implemented to address this issue of employment exclusion. The labor market in Taiwan experiences a significant loss due to the neglect of employment rights for women who are willing to work, primarily as a result of their family caregiving responsibilities.This research aims to gain insight into the phenomenon of female family caregivers' exclusion within the job market. It examines various aspects of this process, starting with the factors that influence women's decision to enter the familial caregiving role. It then explores the experiences and emotions associated with balancing caregiving responsibilities and employment. Additionally, the study investigates the obstacles faced by female caregivers in fulfilling their work obligations while being pulled towards their familial caregiving role. Lastly, it examines the perspectives of female family caregivers regarding policy-related matters and offers suggestions for improvement. The present study employed a qualitative research methodology and conducted interviews with a sample of six female caregivers. The findings of this study are outlined as follows:1. The Experiences of Women in Decision Making as Family Caregivers: There exist three distinct categories of considerations in this context. The initial category pertains to the individual, encompassing personal attributes, internal emotional factors, and external circumstances. The subsequent category pertains to the older parents who be cared for, encompassing the requirement for a relatively stable environment, the inclination and living habits of them, and the propensity of caring by children with the same gender. The third category encompasses the sibling family member relationship and familial caregiving function, comprising factors such as inadequate sibling family member caregiving capacity, a track record of subpar caregiving, variations in cognition of caregiving, and demands of equity in caregiving.2. The Significance of"Caregiving" and "Employment" in the Context of Female Family Caregivers: The act of caregiving can be seen as an extension of one's responsibilities, a way to reciprocate the care received during upbringing, and an expression of familial affection. On the other hand, employment holds primary significance in terms of financial stability, while also providing a sense of personal satisfaction, intellectual growth through skill acquisition, and an opportunity to contribute to society. It is worth noting that the decision to engage in familial caregiving may not always be a voluntary choice for women, and work serves as a crucial supplementary aspect in the lives of family caregivers. The phenomenon of female family caregivers transitioning between the two different roles elicits both favorable and unfavorable experiences.3. Challenges Directed to Female Family Caregivers in the Workplace: These encompass involuntary resignation or retirement, decreased working hours, challenges in work adaptation, and societal discrimination against family caregivers. The existing Long-Term Care 2.0 does not adequately support female family caregivers in balancing their employment responsibilities. Furthermore, its emphasis on community and home-based care diminishes the viability of alternative caregiving options.Finally, this study consolidates research recommendations pertaining to the macro-, meso-, and micro-levels of analysis. The objective is to shed light on the subjectivity of female caregivers within national policy and to underscore the importance of addressing their employment requirements.