This exploratory study aims to increase understanding of conflict related to integrating work and care among racial and ethnic minority and economically disadvantaged populations. Employing community-based research methods, we conducted qualitative interviews with women about their caregiving needs following the birth of a child. Interviewees struggled to balance their families' need for care with income and other basic needs, and they reported experiencing physical, emotional, and financial strain. The process of negotiating leave created additional stress for workers and families. Our analysis suggests that the conflict between work and care is associated with increased social risk and vulnerability for members of already vulnerable and marginalized groups. Drawing on these insights, specific implications for paid family leave policy are discussed.
Open Science calls for transparent science and involvement of various stakeholders. Here are examples of and advice for meaningful stakeholder engagement. ; Ana Lúcia Mena was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology—FCT. The Soy-in-1000-gardens project and the Liver project were funded within the Grand Challenges Program of VIB. This VIB Program received support from the Flemish Government under the Management Agreement 2017–2021 (VR 2016 2312 Doc.1521/4). Inês Pinheiro funded by ANR LabEx DEEP (11-LBX-0044, ANR-10-IDEX-0001-02) and by Institut Curie. We acknowledge support of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation to the EMBL partnership, the Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa and the CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. We acknowledge funding from European Commission (EC): 741527