Mothers Struggle to Balance Work and Child Care Amid High Costs
Nicole Slemp, a former secretary for Washington’s child services department, found herself in a difficult position after having her son in August. The cost of child care was so high that even the least expensive option would eat up most of her salary, leaving her with no choice but to quit her job.
Slemp’s story is not unique in the United States, where high-quality child care programs are prohibitively expensive, government assistance is limited, and daycare openings are hard to come by. In 2022, more than 1 in 10 young children had a parent who had to quit, turn down, or drastically change a job due to child care problems.
The burden of child care falls most heavily on mothers, who are more likely to leave a job to care for their kids. This has led to a lingering crisis among women without college degrees, as the employment gap between mothers with and without a four-year degree continues to grow.
For many low- and middle-income women, the cost of child care can become overwhelming, with some spending more than a third of their income on care for their children. This financial strain has forced some mothers to take on additional work, borrow money, or even file for bankruptcy.
The high cost of child care has not only impacted mothers without college degrees but has also disrupted the careers of those with higher education. The struggle to find affordable and quality child care has left many mothers feeling defeated, pushing them off career tracks and into financial distress.
As the search for child care continues to consume time and energy for parents across the country, the need for more affordable and accessible child care options remains a pressing issue. Without adequate support, many parents, like Nicole Slemp, are left wondering how they can provide for their children while also maintaining their careers.