America's Child Care Problem: The Way Out

By Barbara R. Bergmann and Suzanne Wiggans Helburn

Book Overview

The revolution in women's lives has created an unprecedented demand for non-parental child care, and sparked a growing child care industry run by both public and private providers. In this book, two esteemed economists examine the causes and potential cures of the child care problems that face this country today. Writing for policymakers, parents, and providers alike, Suzanne W. Helburn and Barbara R. Bergmann provide the first in-depth look at the child care industry, identifying crucial problems such as quality of care and the high cost of even mediocre care. Moreover, the authors identify sources for change-including stronger regulatory procedures on providers and suppliers of care-and more government subsidies. America's Child Care Problem examines the views of key players in all facets of the child care industry: CEOs, politicians, policy advocates, foundation directors, child care providers, and parents; and offers specific advice and guidelines for parents to use when selecting care. The book helps parents understand the hidden costs of child care; the pros and cons of child care centers versus care by nannies, relatives, and family-run centers; and danger signals that indicate a low quality of child care.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1403962111
• ISBN13: 9781403962119
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.6" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

Definitive Landmark work -- highly readable

This book gives a complete summary of the major problems with child care in the United States related to the high cost to parents, the mediocre quality of most care, and the difficulty parents have finding it. The authors argue that the affordability problem can only be solved through large increases in financial aid and that the federal government is the only practical source given the magnitudes involved. They also make recommendations for more public spending to create incentives for parents to demand good quality services and for providers to give it. I found the book extremely informative, authoritative, and easy to read.