Unpaid carework is work that is not paid, involves nurturing or sustaining others, and expends energy and time.
Although many are accustomed to thinking of activities such as rocking a baby or washing a uniform as house work and not labor, unpaid carework is in and of itself a contribution to the economy. Without these voluntary contributions from caretakers, this work would have to be compensated. Unpaid carework is the backbone of our paid labor force because it allows others to carry out paid work and nurtures the next generation.