Public policies related to 'care', including the provision of support for children, older adults, and people with disabilities, have become increasingly prominent in public and political debates worldwide. In Latin America, particularly over the past decade, 'care' has occupied a central place in the agendas of center-left governments. These policy initiatives, historically advanced by feminist and progressive movements, have generally sought to expand public services, promote gender equality, and recognize care as a shared social responsibility.
More recently, however, care has also been taken up by far-right political actors in Latin America and beyond. Unlike progressive approaches, these actors tend to frame care in terms of the restoration of 'traditional family values', a redefinition of the role of the state, and the promotion of pro-natalist policies. This reinterpretation represents a significant shift in the political debate surrounding care.
Despite its growing importance, this development remains insufficiently examined in existing research. While feminist and progressive movements have long shaped the care agenda, the increasing involvement of conservative and far-right actors suggests that care is becoming a contested political domain. Analyzing these dynamics is essential for understanding changes in care policies and the evolving role of the state in social reproduction globally.
