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A review by jonnaandherwails
The Care Crisis: What Caused It and How Can We End It? by Emma Dowling
4.0
It's difficult to pen a review on something close to one's passion, and Emma Dowling's The Care Crisis: What Caused It and How Can We End It? strikes too close to mine.
Relevant and informative, Dowling provides readers with well-researched insights on what we need to do in regards to the care crisis. In contrast to what most people may currently think, it takes more than education and awareness to solve a problem that's rooted into our current systems and institutions. A complete overturn is needed. A major change in perspective. A forever conscious decision-making of being inclusive to attain a better society—one that is truly for the people, by the people, and with the people.
Being in the mental health profession, I have learned and unlearned a lot, especially over the past few years. There has been a time when I was 100% sold to society's current idea of self-care without realizing what it actually meant. I've learned that how self-care is currently advertised remains inaccessible for most people. A spa day, scented candles, essential oils, books, TV, film, plants, dining out—all of these are some sort of luxury. Even something as simple as a pen and paper may already be inaccessible and seen as luxury. Dowling reminded me to continually seek better approaches whenever I handle mental health-related activities. Instead of bringing "activity kits" for children, why not scout the area beforehand, learn what is accessible for the children, and use what you find by incorporating them into the activities? We need to teach them that self-care is not expensive. That it's not a luxury. That it's not something you can only do if you have the financial capacity. However, as Dowling wonderfully points out, whatever form of self-care we decide to do, it's only a temporary fix if we are unable to change the system.
I currently live in the Philippines—which can either be a third world or developing country depending on whom you'd ask—, and while I am aware that a first-world country, such as the United Kingdom, is extremely far from perfect, I find myself worrying on how imperfect and problematic it is. If a so-called first-world country continues to experience these problems and seems to be far from solving it, I wonder how long it'll take for the Philippines to be able to address the same issues. I've been actively volunteering since 2017, and I only now realize that while being a volunteer is a privilege, the idea of "needing" volunteers is a result of how messed up our system is. If the government is able to actually take care of its constituents, there would no longer be a need for volunteers.
It's already 2021, and while the truth that there is no easy fix remains steadfast, there is also truth in our hope, our wanting, our actions that would lead to a better and more inclusive society. If you find yourself caring about the world even if it's only a bit, this book is a must-read.
FOLLOW ME FOR MORE WAILS: Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads | WordPress
NOTE: Thanks to Verso and the author for providing me an advanced reader's copy via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review! Any quote used in this review is taken from the provided copy, and the final print of the book may differ.
Relevant and informative, Dowling provides readers with well-researched insights on what we need to do in regards to the care crisis. In contrast to what most people may currently think, it takes more than education and awareness to solve a problem that's rooted into our current systems and institutions. A complete overturn is needed. A major change in perspective. A forever conscious decision-making of being inclusive to attain a better society—one that is truly for the people, by the people, and with the people.
Being in the mental health profession, I have learned and unlearned a lot, especially over the past few years. There has been a time when I was 100% sold to society's current idea of self-care without realizing what it actually meant. I've learned that how self-care is currently advertised remains inaccessible for most people. A spa day, scented candles, essential oils, books, TV, film, plants, dining out—all of these are some sort of luxury. Even something as simple as a pen and paper may already be inaccessible and seen as luxury. Dowling reminded me to continually seek better approaches whenever I handle mental health-related activities. Instead of bringing "activity kits" for children, why not scout the area beforehand, learn what is accessible for the children, and use what you find by incorporating them into the activities? We need to teach them that self-care is not expensive. That it's not a luxury. That it's not something you can only do if you have the financial capacity. However, as Dowling wonderfully points out, whatever form of self-care we decide to do, it's only a temporary fix if we are unable to change the system.
I currently live in the Philippines—which can either be a third world or developing country depending on whom you'd ask—, and while I am aware that a first-world country, such as the United Kingdom, is extremely far from perfect, I find myself worrying on how imperfect and problematic it is. If a so-called first-world country continues to experience these problems and seems to be far from solving it, I wonder how long it'll take for the Philippines to be able to address the same issues. I've been actively volunteering since 2017, and I only now realize that while being a volunteer is a privilege, the idea of "needing" volunteers is a result of how messed up our system is. If the government is able to actually take care of its constituents, there would no longer be a need for volunteers.
It's already 2021, and while the truth that there is no easy fix remains steadfast, there is also truth in our hope, our wanting, our actions that would lead to a better and more inclusive society. If you find yourself caring about the world even if it's only a bit, this book is a must-read.
FOLLOW ME FOR MORE WAILS: Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads | WordPress
NOTE: Thanks to Verso and the author for providing me an advanced reader's copy via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review! Any quote used in this review is taken from the provided copy, and the final print of the book may differ.