Care work refers to activities that meet the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of others and to feelings of affection, concern, or responsibility toward those receiving care. It may be performed for pay or without remuneration and takes place both within households and through institutions such as schools, hospitals, and child care centers. Paid care occurs in formal employment settings, while unpaid care is typically carried out within families and communities, and households often combine both forms. Care work may be direct, involving face-to-face interaction, or indirect, consisting of tasks that sustain the conditions under which care is provided.