The reason fewer Massachusetts women are working and caregiving is that many have left the workforce entirely because they can no longer balance both roles. When they disappear from full-time employment, they also disappear from this data, which includes only full-time workers.
This shift says less about men stepping into caregiving and more about how difficult and expensive care has become. It also highlights the financial risks for families who rely on dual incomes and workplace benefits to stay afloat.
The hard choice between working and caregiving
Families are caring for more aging parents, more adults with long-term conditions and more children with additional needs. At the same time, the cost of paid care keeps climbing. This forces many households to choose expensive outside help or reduced income.
Women are five times more likely than men to say they are not working because they are caring for others. When flexible schedules disappear, many women leave full-time jobs rather than compromise the level of care their families require.
Reduced work hours, lost employer benefits and rising caregiving expenses weaken a family’s long-term security. The caregiving demand often hits during peak earning years, which can reshape retirement planning and household budgets for decades.
The mental health impact behind the numbers
Caregiving may require a significant time commitment. It also has emotional and physical components. Only 36% of caregivers report very good mental health, whereas 27% say that their caregiving responsibilities cause them a great deal of stress.
The strain is more severe for those handling complex responsibilities. Single parents, caretakers of special needs children and the sandwich generation caring for parents and children face higher rates of burnout. These groups also report lower financial well-being, making it harder to save, invest or stay prepared for unexpected expenses.
Workplace structure plays an enormous role. Caregivers with flexibility report better emotional stability. Those without it often struggle to maintain both job performance and personal health. The gap between these groups adds another layer to the economic divide.
Planning ahead for caregiving realities
For many households, caregiving responsibilities arrive suddenly. A parent falls ill, a partner develops a chronic condition or a child needs additional support. Without preparation, the financial consequences can escalate quickly.
- Book a health screening with a service like Life Line Screening so you can uncover hidden health risks and prepare early.
- Review workplace benefits and understand paid leave, remote work options and support programs.
- Discuss long-term care preferences with aging parents and partners before a crisis hits.
- Seek guidance early. Professional advice can help families map scenarios and plan for uncertainty.
- Increase emergency savings to absorb unpredictable caregiving expenses or shifts in work hours.
The number of family caregivers has increased by 45% in the last decade, and 73% of workers report having caregiving responsibilities in the Guardian Life survey. The fact that more men are employed full-time while caregiving highlights only a small piece of the puzzle for families. The bigger picture is the rising pressure on any household that requires a caregiver, regardless of who the primary caregiver is.
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