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You can’t think about the labor market today (or any day really) without thinking about childcare.
A thread:
A thread:
It’s important to know that even before the pandemic, more than half of the U.S. population lived in neighborhoods considered “child care deserts.”
This map shows where some of them are: https://childcaredeserts.org/
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This map shows where some of them are: https://childcaredeserts.org/
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Now there are even fewer childcare slots available across the country.
The number of childcare providers in December was 13% lower than a year earlier, according to @ChildCareAware
Many centers are accepting fewer children because of the pandemic.
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The number of childcare providers in December was 13% lower than a year earlier, according to @ChildCareAware
Many centers are accepting fewer children because of the pandemic.
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These childcare shortages affect working mothers more than fathers.
Research from the Minneapolis Fed found that most fathers w/ young children were back to work by last November while women regained none of their lost ground. 3/
Research from the Minneapolis Fed found that most fathers w/ young children were back to work by last November while women regained none of their lost ground. 3/
As Fed Chair Jerome Powell pointed out earlier this week, 22% of parents were either not working or working less because of disruptions to childcare and in-person schooling.
That increased to 36% for Black mothers and 30% for Hispanic mothers. 4/
That increased to 36% for Black mothers and 30% for Hispanic mothers. 4/
We’re at a point now where hiring is picking up, vaccinations are widely available and more parents feel comfortable sending their children to in person care.
But the supply isn’t there yet. 5/
But the supply isn’t there yet. 5/
Some providers are booking up and seeing the longest waitlists they’ve ever seen.
These shortages could be partly sorted out as more providers add capacity and new ones open up.
But advocates say policymakers also need to address previous shortfalls. 6/
These shortages could be partly sorted out as more providers add capacity and new ones open up.
But advocates say policymakers also need to address previous shortfalls. 6/
Economists say providing childcare that is accessible, affordable and reliable will be important to the recovery - especially for the women who were pushed out of work during the pandemic.
https://www.reuters.com/world/the-great-reboot/one-key-getting-women-back-work-post-pandemic-childcare-2021-05-06/ 7/
https://www.reuters.com/world/the-great-reboot/one-key-getting-women-back-work-post-pandemic-childcare-2021-05-06/ 7/
@keds_economist summed it up best:
"It’s pretty clear that women will make or break this economic recovery and mothers are going to be at the center of it.
Will mothers work? ... It is an economic question that has probably never been larger than it is right now." 8/end
"It’s pretty clear that women will make or break this economic recovery and mothers are going to be at the center of it.
Will mothers work? ... It is an economic question that has probably never been larger than it is right now." 8/end
