Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Census has a tick box for carers of the elderly & disabled but no box for parents!!

35 replies

candleshoe · 25/03/2011 22:04

Surely caring for a child full or part time should be acknowledged on the census form. Why are carers of the ill and old the only carers that are valid?
Now on my form I look like a part-time layabout! And my DH looks like a 58hours a week working superman!!!

GGGRRRRR!

OP posts:
StewieGriffinsMom · 26/03/2011 10:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

swallowedAfly · 26/03/2011 09:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

StewieGriffinsMom · 26/03/2011 09:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Horopu · 25/03/2011 23:49

Are you sure it is only used for historical purposes?

They have just had to postpone the census in NZ due to earthquake the Christchurch and have said that it will cause problems for planning provision in the near future. We have a census every 5 years.

Original poster
candleshoe · 25/03/2011 23:41

So frustrating!

OP posts:
BuntingHill · 25/03/2011 23:38

My family can look me up on this census in 100 years time and they'll think I was unemployed!!!

I hate that - I am a G.P. - the fact that I am on maternity leave should be recorded - is there no box for that?

Gargleswithjelly · 25/03/2011 23:35

I also didn't like the focus on paid work - it devalues SAHMs.

MickeyMixer · 25/03/2011 23:34

I agree - if carers are being officially recorded then that should include parental care too.

Original poster
candleshoe · 25/03/2011 23:32

Census is used mainly for historical purposes - not political ones. So I don't think it is to do with budgets.

I just object to the fact that it looks like I don't contribute because I only 'work' less than 15 hours whereas DH 'works' for 58 hours. When in fact I do the important job of childcare for 24 hours a day 7 days a week (except for 15 hours!)

OP posts:
kat2504 · 25/03/2011 23:02

Guessing they can work it out because you will have listed dependent children on the census form? Not disagreeing though, perhaps they should have a box if you are not employed, you can say you are full time caring for your children. Would give it a bit more "value" perhaps? But that isn't what the census is for (what the fuck is the census for anyway??) and they can clearly see on your form if you have a child or not already.
Carers of ill/elderly might receive carers allowance? Perhaps they have to be making budgets for that. Parents obviously receive nothing whatsoever for staying at home with children. Although perhaps they should address that?!