Culture Study Podcast

Let's Collectively Fantasize About a Family-Friendly Society

Jan 14, 2026
Elliot Haspel, a child and family policy expert and author of "Raising a Nation," joins the conversation to explore the concept of a family-friendly society. They discuss the historical impacts of the 1971 childcare veto and how it shaped current policies. The dialogue delves into recognizing care as a universal right while emphasizing the importance of inclusive policies for all family structures. Haspel advocates for intergenerational spaces and flexible work models that prioritize diverse family needs, benefiting not just parents but the broader community.
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INSIGHT

Why School And Work Schedules Still Clash

  • The school-day/workday time mismatch is a historical artifact from agrarian-era schooling and 1971 policy failures.
  • The 1971 Comprehensive Child Development Act's veto still shapes U.S. resistance to federal childcare and after-school solutions.
INSIGHT

Competing Visions Of Family-Friendly

  • 'Family-friendly' means different things to different value systems, often rooted in beliefs about social reproduction.
  • Framing care as a right and pluralistically supporting all care types broadens political support.
ADVICE

Organize For Small, Visible Changes

  • Build organized constituencies to demand visible family-friendly infrastructure like stroller-ready streets and family lanes.
  • Push local policymakers to prioritize low-cost fixes (playgrounds, stroller access) that signal family support.
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