Systematic review and bibliometric analysis of studies on care and gender. The effect of the pandemic

Abstract

This study systematically reviews the academic literature on unpaid care work during and after COVID-19, emphasizing gender dimensions. Using Web of Science (WOS) and SCOPUS, it analyzes 75 empirical articles published between 2020 and 2024 in English and Spanish. The selection focused on studies addressing unpaid care from multiple perspectives, particularly family dynamics. Quantitative analysis examined frequencies and percentages, while qualitative analysis explored content depth. Results reveal a dominant biomedical perspective on care, often neglecting emotional well-being and broader socioeconomic impacts. The present study also identifies a lack of critical reflection on care’s gendered nature and unequal caregiving responsibilities. Women, historically burdened with care duties, faced increased domestic demands during the pandemic, due to school closures and limited services, exacerbating gender inequality and reducing workforce participation. A bibliometric analysis of research on COVID-19, gender, and social care highlights limited collaboration, with studies fragmented across research groups and lacking international co-authorship. This study calls for governmental and international initiatives to foster cross-border collaboration, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of care that integrates emotional and socioeconomic aspects alongside health concerns. This would promote a more inclusive and reflective approach to unpaid caregiving research.