“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.

  • @HeyJoe
    14•9 hours ago

    Or dead, or too old to handle them, or don’t live near you, or just don’t want to be bothered. My parents are great, but they did tell me straight up that they wouldn’t be a substitute for daycare. They do a lot but just don’t want to be responsible like that, and I honestly don’t blame them. They watch them whenever we need a babysitter or have to travel for events which is great. My wife’s parents are dead.