“These costs are just untenable for an awful lot of families,” the Labor Department found. But while Trump benefited from voters’ economic ire, the politics of child care aren’t cut-and-dried.

Summary

Child care costs for many U.S. families during peak inflation in 2022 ranged from $6,552 to $15,600 per child, comparable to rent, according to Labor Department data.

These high costs strained household budgets, disproportionately impacted women’s workforce participation, and fueled economic dissatisfaction among voters.

While Kamala Harris proposed policies to reduce child care costs, Donald Trump capitalized on broader economic grievances to expand his voter base, despite offering few specifics on addressing the issue.

Pandemic-era federal aid helped stabilize costs but left parents bearing much of the financial burden.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
    252·
    5 months ago

    Hey that’s fine, JD Vance says grandparents can take care of the kids!

    Grandparents never have jobs themselves, right?

  • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.worldEnglish
    212·
    5 months ago

    Sure is great how Manchin killed the childcare provision of BBB.

    Centrists made this happen. Now tell us again how we’re imagining not being able to afford to live.

  • The Pantser@lemmy.world
    17·
    5 months ago

    Yep 10 years ago when my wife was the full time worker and I wanted to work. I would have to have been making $23 per hour to make a profit on working. The cheapest childcare we could find would have me paying childcare costs that exceeded a 40 hour per week check. I would have to pay to have a job. Best I could find at the time was $16.50 so I just elected to save money by not working.

  • Cavemanfreak@lemm.ee
    8·
    5 months ago

    Jesus fucking christ! I’m so happy I live in a sane country, we pay $250 for two children, and it’s only going down the older they get.

  • Gammelfisch@lemmy.world
    6·
    5 months ago

    The rest of the 1st World is way ahead of the USA. I like it when the American politicians and business leaders say family values are important. In reality, that is last thing on their fucking minds and the US Labor Laws and paternity leave proves it. If you want to have a family, move to Norway, Sweden, Finland or Denmark.

  • Cyrus Draegur@lemm.eeEnglish
    3·
    5 months ago

    And yet the childcare WORKERS can barely afford to live.

    You know, I’m starting to wonder if maybe families should form some sort of social club and hire childcare workers directly???