Additional Coverage:
Childcare Crisis in the US
During the recent vice presidential debate, childcare emerged as a key issue.
Governor Tim Walz argued that relying on family members, such as grandparents, is not a viable solution to the childcare crisis. He emphasized the need for both supply and demand-side measures, including paid family leave programs.
Senator J.D. Vance, who previously suggested that grandparents should help out more, maintained during the debate that families need more options for childcare. He supports a model that allows families to choose how they approach childcare, including government support for family members providing such support.
However, childcare costs remain high, with infant day care costs rising significantly. Childcare experts argue that the focus should be on investing in early childhood programs and incentivizing younger individuals to enter the field. They emphasize that expecting grandparents to be the primary caregivers is not feasible due to their financial, physical, and mental limitations.