When Delores moved to New York City from Jamaica nearly thirty years ago she didn’t know anyone. But soon she found a community of other nannies and learned how to navigate job interviews and “fussy” parents who don’t like nannies to tell their children no.

In this week’s episode on paid caretaking, we explore the class and power dynamics inherent in care work. Plus, we hear from Faye*, a woman living with debilitating multiple sclerosis, and her husband Murray*, about how hiring outside help for caregiving shifts became essential to supporting their marriage.

Are you taking care of a loved one with MS? Murray suggests starting here for resources.

*Names have been changed.

Read Koa Beck’s essay about becoming a foster parent: “Nanny of the State.”

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Paid to Care: When Class, Power, and Caregiving Collide

Death, Sex & Money