Aging, Gender and Care: Debates to Situate Public Policies

Abstract

The article presents a state of the art that situates the relationship between the processes of population aging and the demands of care. Its objective is to contribute, from a transversal gender perspective, to the formulation of public policies that face the challenges posed by the demographic transition in Chile. We will start by reviewing the debates on aging, its gender dimensions, and the concept of care. We will also review the studies on the care needs of the elderly, analyzing the role of the family, the State, the community, and the market in addressing these social demands. We conclude discussing a few critical points to be considered for the planning of public policies linked to the topic.