Scientific production on childcare policies in Latin America (2012–2021): systematic review and bibliometric analysis
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Keywords

Care policies
Children
gender
Latin America
Bibliometrics

Abstract

This article analyzes scientific production on childcare policies in Latin America published between 2012 and 2021, based on a systematic literature review complemented by a bibliometric analysis. Drawing on 81 articles, we identify three major thematic clusters and discuss their main findings, tensions, and contributions to understanding the field and informing the design of public care policies in the region. The results show that the literature on childcare policies in Latin America is organized around tensions between maternalism, gender inequality, early childhood education, health, and cognitive development. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive and intersectoral policies grounded in a rights-based approach and a gender perspective.

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