📄 Abstract
Care has traditionally been understood as a fundamental human need and a social responsibility shared among families, communities, and governments. However, recent economic and social alterations have increasingly positioned care as a market commodity accessible primarily to those with sufficient financial resources. This research note examines the growing perception of care as a luxury in contemporary society. Drawing upon existing literature on care economics, social inequality, and welfare systems, the study explores how healthcare, eldercare, childcare, and emotional support services have become stratified according to income and social prominence. The analysis highlights the role of neoliberal economic policies, privatization, and changing family structures in shaping unequal access to quality care. The findings suggest that while care remains essential for human well-being, its commercialization has created significant disparities, transforming what should be a universal right into a privilege for many. The paper argues for renewed public investment and policy interventions to ensure equitable access to care services.
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📚 How to Cite:
Dr.Raji Raveendran , CARE AS A LUXURY: THE COMMODIFICATION OF CARE IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY , Volume 13 , Issue 6, June 2026, EPRA International Journal of Socio-Economic and Environmental Outlook(SEEO) , Pages: 26 - 31 ,