Reimagining economic stimulus

The federal budget that came down this week missed a real opportunity to stimulate the economy by making it easier for parents, especially mothers, to work.

An amazing way to kick-start the stalling economy would be to bring in a national child care program.

If it was done well, it could create jobs for early childhood educators, and bring above board the thousands of unregistered home-run child care options parents use because they can’t afford registered day care.

It would give mothers that want to work, the opportunity to work full-time or even start their own businesses.

Spending money on the women who take care of children (their own and other people’s) may seem like a crazy way to battle a recession.

But why is it any crazier then pouring money into make-work projects in male-dominated fields, like building roads and bridges? Roads and bridges are not actually a one-time expense, they have to be constantly maintained and repaired and someone has to find the money to pay for that.

That money could just as easily, and maybe more effectively, be spent on supporting working families who need child care.

The push for a national child care program has been around since before my mother got pregnant with me, Unfortunately in recent years the debate’s been tainted by politicians. Now, if you want national child care you must support the Liberals and if you want $100 a month, you’re Torrie blue.   

But the fact remains wanting good, affordable child care, so that everyone can participate equally in the workforce, isn’t Conservative or Liberal. It’s just smart.

Comments

[Wally Keeler]

So an individual decides to have a child. They know that they are in no financial position to raise a child, nor are they willing to sacrifice or impede their ambitions for the sake of having a child.

So what is the responsible thing to do?

Arrange one's life in a manner that makes it feasible while maintaining self-respect and dignity that comes from personal independence.

Or

Make it so society at large has no free choice but to pay for the free choice of those who reproduce irresponsibly.

BTW, what are the number of females who are teachers in our elementary/secondary schools, and what are the numbers of male teachers? More and more girls are in the majority of university undergraduate programs in virtually every field, whereas more and more boys are dropping out of high school. Why? Is the increasing feminization of our educational system now favouring girls at the expense of alienating boys? And what feminist cares about equality anyway? You? I don't think so.