The Constraints Children Face in Intrafamily Bargaining over Care: An Analysis Using A. Sen’s Concept of Cooperative Conflicts

Abstract

This study examines the constraints that children face in intrafamily bargaining over care. Discussions on young carers, including previous research, have obscured how children who are inevitably dependent on others accept care arrangements and the intrafamily constraints they face when negotiating care. Therefore, A. Sen’s concept of cooperative conflicts was used as an analytical lens. A survey interview was conducted with seven individuals who cared for other family members under the age of 18 years. Results revealed the following two constraints. First, when children who are inevitably dependent on others perceive the dire consequences of ceasing to provide care and a weakened bargaining position, they will accept that they must provide care because of disadvantageous bargaining. Second, if children place the needs of other family members above their own, it becomes difficult for them to stop providing care. Based on the preceding result, this study discusses the reasons why children must continue to provide care and suggests the possibility of removing the constraints that children face.