Research shows that the happiness levels of parents are influenced by their country's childcare policies. Countries with supportive policies like paid parental leave, such as Norway and Hungary, have happier parents than childless couples. Conversely, countries like Australia and Great Britain have less happy parents than their childless peers. The United States shows the biggest happiness drop after having children. Despite this, it is surprising that Republicans, who generally support higher fertility rates, are not more enthusiastic about child-friendly policies. The importance of governmental support for parents is highlighted, as it's easier to be a parent with structural support beyond the immediate family. This lack of support is evident in the US according to researcher Dana Suskind's book 'Parent Nation.'