If there was one initiative I could pour all my energy into, it would be paying caregivers a monthly stipend. Whether you care for your own small children or elderly family members, I think we deserve to be paid. I love being a SAHM but the single income is hard to navigate with cost for food & living increasing at the same rate my spouses income increases. Hot take: if feminist movements could’ve pushed for domestic labor to be compensated for instead of women just working with men then we’d be better along in our society
I agree. I used to be a care provider. Unless the parent(s) really want to work, it is sad to keep paying care providers higher wages so parents can keep spending less time with their kids. Many individual care providers can't afford to work on lower wages, either. It is backwards in both directions, and a parent should be an equally eligible (and the most desirable) paid care provider since it's at the expense and in replacement of their other work opportunities. I agree it would still make the entire household (including kids) more stable participants in the economy/housing etc.
Wholly agree with you. Sadly though the UK has fallen victim to this as well. Post-2008, so-called "Austerity" (killing poor people to protect banks from their own greed) has seen those benefits hugely slashed. To listen to the billionaire-backed press you'd think we are still giving inappropriately massive handouts but really, Britain is similarly beholden to an extortionate childcare industry. And Starmer is enacting yet further cuts
I pray this would happen but we know if it does...it will be a fight to the finish. And not they want to hand medals and cash bonus to encourage women to have children. Make it make sense! $5000 or whatever medal does not account for the 18 years of love, sweat, cash and tears.
Stanley - this idea makes so much sense that elected leaders would never make it happen.
I appreciate you highlighting the couple in the beginning. When I had two kids in childcare, we were paying $15K per child. My friend who lives in SF pays $36K a year for one child. The costs are too high and it’s scarce and inconvenient.
If some of the wealthiest corporations payed a fraction of taxes, universal childcare could be a reality.
I also agree! My oldest daughter works at home and yet was still required by her employer to put her child in daycare. You literally put parents in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" type situation. Imagine a society where our government actually created policies that aligned with the real needs of their people. That's the simplicity of it all is it not...ask us what we want and need. Implement from there for the greater good of all. It's a beautiful dream.
If there was one initiative I could pour all my energy into, it would be paying caregivers a monthly stipend. Whether you care for your own small children or elderly family members, I think we deserve to be paid. I love being a SAHM but the single income is hard to navigate with cost for food & living increasing at the same rate my spouses income increases. Hot take: if feminist movements could’ve pushed for domestic labor to be compensated for instead of women just working with men then we’d be better along in our society
I agree. I used to be a care provider. Unless the parent(s) really want to work, it is sad to keep paying care providers higher wages so parents can keep spending less time with their kids. Many individual care providers can't afford to work on lower wages, either. It is backwards in both directions, and a parent should be an equally eligible (and the most desirable) paid care provider since it's at the expense and in replacement of their other work opportunities. I agree it would still make the entire household (including kids) more stable participants in the economy/housing etc.
Wholly agree with you. Sadly though the UK has fallen victim to this as well. Post-2008, so-called "Austerity" (killing poor people to protect banks from their own greed) has seen those benefits hugely slashed. To listen to the billionaire-backed press you'd think we are still giving inappropriately massive handouts but really, Britain is similarly beholden to an extortionate childcare industry. And Starmer is enacting yet further cuts
I pray this would happen but we know if it does...it will be a fight to the finish. And not they want to hand medals and cash bonus to encourage women to have children. Make it make sense! $5000 or whatever medal does not account for the 18 years of love, sweat, cash and tears.
Stanley - this idea makes so much sense that elected leaders would never make it happen.
I appreciate you highlighting the couple in the beginning. When I had two kids in childcare, we were paying $15K per child. My friend who lives in SF pays $36K a year for one child. The costs are too high and it’s scarce and inconvenient.
If some of the wealthiest corporations payed a fraction of taxes, universal childcare could be a reality.
“The pleasure and horror” — perfect opener
I also agree! My oldest daughter works at home and yet was still required by her employer to put her child in daycare. You literally put parents in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" type situation. Imagine a society where our government actually created policies that aligned with the real needs of their people. That's the simplicity of it all is it not...ask us what we want and need. Implement from there for the greater good of all. It's a beautiful dream.