The Day-Care Scam

One of the hottest issues now on the Washington social policy agenda is day care. There is a nearconsensus that something should be done; the danger is that conservatives and moderates will be seduced into supporting a liberal initiative that is a guaranteed disaster.

Day care is a problem for many mothers, in part because of social changes that have seen more single, full-, and part-time working mothers than ever before. These make such traditional solutions as having relatives or friends watch the kids more difficult. But the “child-care crisis” is in fact part of a far larger problem: raising children is expensive, whether you use day care or not. Those who focus their efforts on day care at the expense of other needs of children and parents are pushing a very particular horse.

About the Author

Ron Haskins

Mr. Haskins is a senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution and a co-director of the Center on Children and Families.

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About the Author

Hank Brown

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One of the hottest issues now on the Washington social policy agenda is day care. There is a nearconsensus that something should be done; the danger is that conservatives and moderates will be seduced into supporting a liberal initiative that is a guaranteed disaster.

Day care is a problem for many mothers, in part because of social changes that have seen more single, full-, and part-time working mothers than ever before. These make such traditional solutions as having relatives or friends watch the kids more difficult. But the “child-care crisis” is in fact part of a far larger problem: raising children is expensive, whether you use day care or not. Those who focus their efforts on day care at the expense of other needs of children and parents are pushing a very particular horse.