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This chapter presents data from a study on women who are seeking to move into training, education and employment after a period of parenting or unemployment. The women in this study kept care diaries over a three-week period and participated in a focus group at the start and end of data collection. The discussion notes the existence of a ‘gender culture’ in which women are perceived as primary carers, and a ‘worker culture’ in which engagement in employment or training is seen as paramount to active and useful notions of the citizen. Familial, friendship and social networks were crucial to managing the needs of balancing care responsibilities, training, education and employment. Support in transitions for women in low income households must recognise care roles and responsibilities and fully consider the range of social and familial resources that low income families depend on.
