Nurturer Duty Blurs explores the evolving landscape of female caregiving in modern society, focusing on how increased daycare usage impacts family relationships and gender roles. The book investigates “caregiver role dilution,” the fragmentation of nurturing responsibilities, questioning long-held beliefs about motherhood. For example, the transformation of family structures, leading to more dual-income and single-parent households, has significantly influenced childcare practices. The book examines how reliance on daycare, while beneficial for working families, may blur traditional female caregiving roles, potentially diminishing the perceived importance of mothers in early childhood development. It begins by introducing “caregiver role dilution” and the rise of daycare, then delves into evolving definitions of motherhood and cultural expectations. Unique to this book is its focus on the emotional and psychological effects of shared caregiving on mothers, discussing feelings of guilt and shifting identity. The book progresses by examining the role of fathers in caregiving and culminates by discussing the potential long-term effects on child development and family structure.
