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Citizen Carer: Carer's Allowance and Conceptualisations of UK Citizenship

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 April 2015

BENEDICT E. SINGLETON  and
GARY FRY
BENEDICT E. SINGLETON
Affiliation:
School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Örebro University, Sweden. email: [email protected]
GARY FRY
Affiliation:
Independent researcher, UK. email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Carers make a considerable contribution to the health and social care of sick or disabled people, reducing the strain on health and social care systems. This has been recognised through support mechanisms, including (in the UK) a payment for caring (Carer's Allowance – CA). This article draws upon data from a study of carers receiving CA. Utilising a citizenship perspective, it examines respondents’ perspectives on their role in the UK and shows how CA provides not only financial support but also contributes to normative conceptualisations of citizenship. The data highlight the primacy of paid work in UK citizenship, as well as the stigma associated with receiving welfare benefits. The article concludes by claiming that changes to the UK benefit system need to take into account a ‘recognition’ aspect, reformulating what is considered a worthwhile contribution to society.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 44 , Issue 3 , July 2015 , pp. 549 - 566
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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