Addressing this trap requires moving beyond temporary subsidies toward structural changes in how society values care. One direct approach involves reforming tax systems to eliminate the 'marriage penalty' or heavy deductions that inadvertently discourage single earners from working more. When tax codes reward one high earner while penalizing a second worker's marginal income, they push caregivers out of the formal labor market entirely.
Investing in universal, high-quality childcare and eldercare acts as a massive supply-side stimulus. By treating these services as essential public infrastructure—much like roads or schools—governments lower the direct cost of employment for families. This allows women to maintain continuous career trajectories and accumulate pension rights. Without this, many women face a permanent
