Supporting Working Parents: Why Community and Policies Matter?

Veranda:A trusted parent to parent network, private to each school.

High cost of childcare, high immigration and movement across cities makes it difficult for women with young kids to stay in workforce.

In America, many women face a tough decision when it comes to balancing their careers and raising children. The cost of childcare can be so high that it makes more financial sense for one parent to stay at home rather than work and pay for childcare.

According to a report by the Economic Policy Institute, for a four-year-old child in center-based care, the average annual cost in the United States was $11,095 in 2020. The cost varied widely by state, with New York having the highest average cost at $16,692 and Mississippi having the lowest average cost at $5,921.

Veranda helps working parents by providing a platform for them to connect with each other and collaborate on tasks such as carpooling, sharing a nanny, splitting bills, and saving time. This support network can help reduce the burden of childcare costs and allow parents to balance their work and family responsibilities more effectively, ultimately saving them from having to quit their jobs.

According to a report by the United States Census Bureau, about 40 percent of Americans with children under the age of 18 live in a different city or town from their extended family. Immigration and cross-city movement can add to the challenge of not having a default support system. Furthermore, families who move frequently may have difficulty establishing connections with their communities, including schools and other parents, according to a report by the Urban Institute.

Without family or friends nearby to help with childcare, many women feel that they have no choice but to quit their jobs to take care of their children, particularly single mothers who may not have a partner to share the responsibilities of parenting with. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2020, 46% of working parents with children under the age of 18 reported that they had to reduce their work hours or take time off to care for their children. In addition, 31% of working parents reported that they had to quit their jobs. Women who leave the workforce to care for children are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues than women who continue working, according to a report by the Institute for Women's Policy Research.

However, having access to other parents and a community of support can make a big difference in a mother's decision to stay in the workforce.. A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that mothers who had more social support from other parents at their child's school were more likely to remain employed than those who did not have such support. As one mother, Sarah Smith, shared in an interview with Forbes, "Having a support network of moms at my child's school has been critical for me in navigating the challenges of working while raising a family. We share advice and resources and help each other out when needed."

Unfortunately, many parents find it difficult to connect with other parents at their children's schools. As a result, they miss out on the benefits of a supportive community. In a survey conducted by the National PTA, only 37% of parents said that they felt connected to other parents at their child's school.

As a society, we must work to ensure that all families have access to trustworthy support system, affordable and high-quality childcare, as well as policies and programs that promote workplace flexibility and support working parents. By investing in tools, policies and programs that support working parents, we can help create a more equitable and inclusive society for all.