1.6: Why Young Caregivers Stay Hidden

If young caregivers are all around us, why do we not see them? Young caregivers can remain hidden or unrecognized for many reasons.
Two important factors are often at play:

1. They may not recognize themselves as a young caregiver.
2. Even when they do, they may not feel comfortable reaching out or accepting support.

Understanding both helps us recognize young caregivers who may already be present in the communities and populations we serve.

Two things are usually at work, and they compound each other. First, most young caregivers don’t recognize themselves in the role. Second, even the ones who do are often reluctant to reach out. Understanding both is what makes the difference between an organization that assumes there are no young caregivers in its community and one that knows how to find them.

Barrier one: they don’t see themselves as caregivers

Many young people don’t describe themselves as caregivers, even when they regularly provide significant support at home. For many, helping is simply part of being a family. Their responsibilities may develop gradually, and there may never be a moment when someone names what they are doing as caregiving. The word caregiver can also sound like an adult or professional role — a parent, nurse, support worker or personal care attendant — rather than something that describes a child or young person.

Who Do We Picture When We Hear “Caregiver”?

Think about the images we commonly see associated with the word caregiver.

Example of image results associated with the term “caregiver.”

Adults dominate these representations. When children and youth don’t see their experiences reflected in the language and images around caregiving, it can be harder to recognize that the term may describe them too.

You don’t need to identify with the word “caregiver” to be providing care.

Barrier two: Even When They Recognize Their Role, They May Hold Back

Recognizing the caregiving role doesn’t necessarily mean a young person will reach out or accept support. This can happen for a number of reasons, including:

They may feel isolated

Caregiving can limit opportunities to connect with friends and other supports, making it harder to share what they’re experiencing or reach out for help.

They may want to protect their family

Talking about what happens at home can feel very personal. A young caregiver may worry about stigma, judgment or outside involvement and choose not to share their experience.

Taking time for themselves may feel difficult

Some young caregivers may feel they should be at home helping or worry about what will happen while they are away.

They may not think they need support

When caregiving is a normal part of everyday life, a young person may not see a reason to seek support or may simply feel that they are managing well right now.

★ Powerhouse® Tip: Recognition doesn’t require a label. Even when you recognize that a young person may be providing care, avoid assuming they identify with the term young caregiver or that they want or need support right now. Instead, let them know that supports and resources are available for young people with experiences like theirs if and when they are interested. Some young people may connect with the term young caregiver, while others may not — and their need or interest in support may also change over time.

The goal is to open the door to support without requiring a young person to identify with a label or accept support before they are ready.

🤔 Reflection Question: Thinking about the populations your organization currently serves, where might caregiving responsibilities already exist without being recognized — even if they don’t use the term young caregiver themselves?

Next, we’ll explore how culture and language can further shape how caregiving is understood, discussed and recognized.