Do the Math

3-20-23

In the latest media analysis, reporters are now citing the lack of affordable child care as the main culprit in the dearth of workers. The 3/20/23 WSJ article, “Child Care Keep Parents Out of Work”, cites the lower number of younger persons working and the cause is the lack of affordable child care. Do you hear the drum beat getting louder for more government subsidy for other than parents raising children?

Across the political spectrum, there are calls for increase subsidy for child care. Why? Both parties understand the coffers get filled by worker bees. Filled coffers translates to power for those holding the keys to the treasury. By controlling the raising and education of children, they also control the future thus cementing their hold and providing additional juice to their power.

It is extremely difficult to turn around the materialistic society in which we live. The airwaves are filled with the lives of the “rich and famous”. Class envy is stoked at every turn and the “why don’t I have that?” mentality pervades at all income levels especially in light of the lack of any semblance of adhering to a higher calling beyond this temporal world.

So now it comes down to simple math. If you are making an entry level wage or depend on tips for you income, you are likely to not make enough to offset the cost of child care. If you have a college degree and work in an white collar environment, you likely receive a substantial wage and benefits package that does cover the cost of child care…. maybe. The cost of clothing, commuting, and increased use of prepared foods in addition to the cost of child care, should give the parent pause on who raises their child. Some studies have shown increased medical care costs for the child that should also give pause to the parent.

The final and best argument for raising your own child should be the joy that comes from seeing your child do things for the first time rather than hearing it from a person who does not hold unconditional love for that child no matter how committed they are to their work. My daughter worked in child care and she “loved” her kids, some of whom nearly 20 years later still remember her. She tells of the sorry state of parents rushing to drop off and being late for pick up and the stress it put on the child. She saw how children manipulated parents into “buying” the child’s love with promises of Disney, toys, and even food.

When you add the sorry state of public education to the math of working and paying for child care versus staying home and raising your child, it just doesn’t add up. Do the math.