Marana, Arizona
Over the past three years, an unprecedented number of Americans, especially women, have left the workforce or reduced their working hours. This mass exodus has been dubbed the “Great Resignation.” While factors like burnout and a desire for greater flexibility or change have contributed, one major yet often overlooked driver is a lack of affordable, quality childcare.
For lower income families, quality care can consume over 30% of household income, making it more economical to leave work. And for others, the simple lack of open slots forces a pause on employment. Currently, there are over 5 million fewer childcare spots nationwide than there are children needing care.
In industries where wages are low and unpredictable schedules common, like food service and retail, parents are struggling most. This threatens the recovery of sectors already grappling with labor shortages. Meanwhile, lack of childcare is also driving skilled professionals like nurses and teachers out of their careers, deepening national shortfalls.
Economists argue universally affordable childcare could add tens of billions to economic output each year by allowing more parents to engage in full-time work. It would also help address declining birth rates that threaten future growth.
Yet unlike other advanced economies, the United States lacks national paid family leave and childcare policies. Attempts at reform repeatedly stall in Congress over funding concerns. But investments now could pay enormous dividends – for families’ economic stability today and the overall economy’s health well into the future.
The childcare crisis is forcing impossible choices on everyday Americans and taking a tangible toll – not just on individual families, but on entire workforces and our nation’s economic potential. Policymakers must recognize lack of care for our children is lack of care for our workforce and our prosperity. Comprehensive reforms to make quality early education universally accessible would demonstrate that after decades of inaction, we are finally ready to confront this crisis of care.
