Can migrant men become more present in elderly care? Comparative analysis of migrant women and men in senior care. A case study from Poland

Abstract

This paper compares the character of work of migrant women and men in elderly care in Poland. Elderly care is provided mainly by migrant women. Men who work in this sector are in a clear minority. In the presented research a qualitative content analysis has been used. The paper discusses selected results of in-depth interviews conducted among 42 immigrants working in elderly care (11 men and 31 women). It was found that there are differences between sexes. Women indicated, inter alia, the following reasons for taking up work in elderly care: job knowledge, the use of migration chains and altruistic motives. Men did not refer to these factors. They said that they chose this sector because they saw a market gap. The studies showed that gender was often a decisive factor for employment in senior care men. Men are mainly employed to take care of elderly men. Gender can be an important factor in choosing the carer.