Care penalty and gender inequality: A qualitative study of poor single mothers in China

For a long period of time, caregiving has been erroneously perceived as a woman's “inherent responsibility,” thereby contributing to feminization of caregiving. Although the maternal penalty endured by female caregivers stands as a pivotal issue within the realm of gender inequality research, existing scholarly endeavors have largely overlooked the care penalty experienced by poor single mothers. Drawing upon fieldwork conducted in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, this article provides a compelling portrayal of the living conditions faced by poor single mothers, offering a nuanced exploration of these challenges from the intersecting perspectives of gender and traditional Chinese culture. The findings reveal that poor single mothers endure a culturally embedded multifaceted “care penalty” that manifests in wage penalties and occupational restrictions, psychological stress and emotional disturbances, weak interpersonal relationships and identity crises, and societal discrimination and poor prospects for remarriage. It is essential to develop robust social support networks to better integrate gender considerations and caregiving responsibilities into family policy agendas. Furthermore, targeted social policies should be specifically formulated for poor single mothers to ensure that they are not left behind in the pursuit of social justice and equality.