Constructions of childlessness and ageing: legitimising dependency on unpaid care?

Purpose A narrative has developed in recent years to link ageing without children support needs later life. Social care long been viewed as a private, familial responsibility, whilst health is societal, public good. Childlessness framed negatively terms of increased demands on services and wider family networks. As governments tackle the issue how fund deliver an equitable sustainable long-term sector, this paper aims argue that it more critical than ever evaluate views childlessness context ageing. Design/methodology/approach Policy-oriented commentary paper. Findings If focus through lens potential deficit, continues frame risk does little challenge increasing reliance unpaid care. Research policy need explore make access social reduce expectations They also increasingly emphasise exploration aspects life beyond care, for example, by communities, what matters people age well lives extend traditional nuclear families. Originality/value This uses UK contextual example research communities have role play evaluating their constructions questioning whether they do legitimise government’s unwillingness take responsibility