Odd Lots Care Work in the United States Has Been Broken for Years
May 4, 2023
Nancy Folbre, a professor emerita of economics at UMass-Amherst and director at the Political Economy Research Institute, discusses the longstanding failures in the U.S. care economy. She highlights the rising costs of childcare and the inequities faced by families, especially low-income ones. Folbre explores how market failures and stagnant wages impact caregivers, stressing the urgent need for systemic change. She also offers insights into innovative solutions, including adjusting work hours and drawing on successful models from abroad to create a more equitable system.
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Childcare Provisioning
- Childcare provisioning involves paid work, unpaid work, and government provision.
- Their interaction creates unique characteristics compared to manufactured goods.
US Childcare Landscape
- The US childcare landscape is mainly a network of small, independent centers.
- Some government support exists but informal care from family and friends has become increasingly common.
Childcare Market Failure
- Childcare costs are surging for consumers, but worker wages remain low.
- This disparity resembles a market failure, where rising costs don't translate to worker benefits.