Those who work long hours in paid employment sell their time to the market and, when there is a high price differential between their income and the price of care, they can opt to buy that care. Most middle- and low-income persons, especially women, must look after themselves and their family because the level of their wages, the amount of work that they sell to the market and other cultural components make it difficult for them to contemplate paying for care. In this context, it should be pointed out that the care market —even in most of the developed countries— is generally very precarious and highly stratified, both in terms of its potential coverage and in terms of quality.