Women of the baby boom generation and unpaid work ‐What are the indications for the future?

Abstract

Objectives: Most unpaid work is performed by women. Will Australian women of the baby boom generation continue to provide such work for the benefit of their families and communities? This article examines the indications for changes in the provision of unpaid work in the future, in particular, the potential future contribution of unpaid work performed by women of the baby boom generation.Method: Data from the Healthy Retirement Project were used to assess the views of a large group of women from the baby boom generation (n= 1359) regarding voluntary work in retirement. Focus groups explored in more depth the views of women of the baby boom generation regarding paid and unpaid work after the age of 65.Results: A large proportion of female baby boomers intend to provide unpaid caring and community work after their retirement. Women in the baby boom generation were equally as likely as their predecessors to be volunteers and to be looking forward to having more time for voluntary work in retirement. Women were more likely to anticipate having more time for voluntary work in retirement if they were already involved in voluntary work and in good health.Conclusions: The provision of unpaid work in Australia is likely to increase, as the proportion of older people in the population increases.