Would it be more beneficial to women to provide free childcare instead of maternity leave?

[Anonymous]

Agree

Disagree

[RavVid]

There is danger in 'professionalizing' services. I have seen this in a number of ways.

First subsidizing increases costs. Lets say the service cost Y$ and it is subsidized at X$. It is likely to become charged at X+Y. Plus it creates further demand.. Say it goes for a year. You are bound to have demand to extend this till 5 yo when the child goes to school.

Plus there is quality demands. Granny would have done a lot of minding for free in her home. A stay at home wife of a friend was able to do a short course that permitted her to mind other's children and earn income. She was trusted with her own child so she could look after others is the simple logic - right. Relatively cost efficient and much like Granny minding.

That pretty quickly escalated in quality required by gov't. To the point that it became unfeasible for a stay at home mom to mind other children. Indeed you had to wonder at stay at home moms being allowed to mind their own children.

Plus those working start doing early childhood degrees and demand more money. Strikes are very effective in child services so there is good negotiating power.

Rather than kindly subsidizing you should discuss 0-5 gov't minding. You have an upfront perspective on what it is going to cost.

[NaultD]

It's two different stages of childcare. A baby might need a teething ring to chew on and a child can need braces. A newborn needs constant attention but grow to the point where they need to separate and meet new people in daycare.

That's the whole thing about "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs." It's not, either or, but a building up a life.

[Anonymous]

No because that is an important time for a mother and child to be together for the sake of the child's health.

[Asker]

Does it really have to be every waking moment though?

[Anonymous]

Free childcare probably just means tax payers are paying for it so it’s not really free

[Asker]

Isn't that every public service?

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah pretty much

[OlderAndWiser]

"Free" childcare does not exist. SOMEONE pays for it.

[exitseven]

it is better that a mother get to spend time with her baby.

[siezuresalad]

Mothers are better caregivers for their children than daycare workers

[888theGreat]

Staying home and making sure her kids don't turn out to be serial killers. The child care costs more than what mothers make working.

[boundless]

No such thing as free.

[DrPepper12]

Why choose? Provide both

[jahaims]

No lol