Motherhood and Unpaid Care: An Integrated Review in the Indian Context

Abstract

Transition to parenthood is a significant life event that often increases the burden of unpaid care work on women, disproportionately affecting their economic independence, career trajectories, and personal well-being. This integrated review examines the global and Indian contexts of motherhood and care by combining a bibliometric analysis of 4,216 studies published between 2000 and 2024 with a targeted content review of 12 Indian studies. Globally, childcare emerges as a central component of reproductive labour with preschool caregiving identified as particularly labour-intensive and demanding. In the Indian context, deeply entrenched cultural norms and patriarchal structures exacerbate the gendered division of labour by ascribing the primary responsibility of caregiving to mothers. Economic constraints further compound these challenges, particularly for low-income households where mothers face a "double burden" of paid work and unpaid care responsibilities. The lack of affordable childcare and flexible work arrangements often forces mothers to exit the workforce, perpetuating economic vulnerability. Policy gaps in India such as the lack of accessible childcare and paid parental leave further hinder maternal employment and well-being. This review highlights the urgent need for systemic interventions, including affordable childcare, flexible work arrangements and policies that recognize and value unpaid care work.