Educational and nursing work is still hardly recognised as real work in Europe. Despite high physical and emotional strain, it is often considered private and self-evident, with consequences for intergenerational justice. People who raise children or care for relatives secure the future of society, but receive little financial or social protection. Care work forms a central pillar of the state system: Without care, education and care, neither the labour market nor the social system work. Their lack of appreciation directly contributes to Europe's demographic crisis. When family structures are overburdened and care work is hardly supported, fewer people choose children – with serious consequences for social stability and sustainability. Effective compensation can only be achieved if unpaid care work is significantly upgraded socially and financially – for example through better social protection, pension recognition and targeted government support. At the same time, a fair distribution of care work between the sexes as well as reliable public care structures are needed so that families no longer bear the brunt.