Democrats have a pipe dream: They want a society in which parents, mothers in particular, don’t have to make hard choices.
In a New York Times article this weekend headlined “Why mothers’ choices often feel like no choice,” there’s a picture at the top of Elizabeth Warren holding a young couple’s baby. Warren, as you’re probably aware, wants universal childcare for all families so both parents can work full-time and year-round. After all, Warren’s “Aunt Bee” rescued Warren from having to stay home with her young children and wound up staying 16 years. Ergo, it’s only right that every family have the same advantage Warren did.
At least, that’s Warren’s logic.
But are Democrats right when they assume the reason women’s earnings stall after they have kids is that they lack the choices Warren had? Or could it be that, Aunt Bee or no Aunt Bee, women would generally choose to stay home with their children in the early years? In other words, would offering mothers free, full-time substitute care for their babies and toddlers in the form of daycare create the desired result Democrats seek? Would women work more and mother less?
No, they wouldn’t.
For one thing, most parents know that daycare isn’t remotely comparable to having an Aunt Bee — and Warren will never be able to convince them otherwise. Second, a smaller form of this plan (in the form of paid leave) has been tried in California, and it failed. Women didn’t want it. Third, most parents know what Warren does not: that the best environment for children in the early years (unless they’re extremely poor or disadvantaged in some way) is at home, preferably with mom.
Finally, most parents accept that choices have trade-offs. The real reason women’s earnings stall after they have kids is that — hold on to your hat because this may come as a shock — they want to be with their kids. That Warren didn’t is her choice. But that doesn’t mean that when other women do, it’s because they lack choices. They do have a choice: They just made a different one than Warren did. To assume that taking care of their own babies is not what most women want, that they only make this choice when they’re forced into a box, suggests women can’t think for themselves.
It is true that the majority of mothers work outside the home in some capacity. But it is equally true that when they do, they almost always feel guilty—which isn’t a bad thing but is an indicator that something needs to change. Most parents believe children are better off with a parent at home anyway.
Finally, when polled, the vast majority of mothers, 67%, say their “ideal” situation would be to work part-time or not at all. This would all indicate that “high-quality, affordable childcare” (which again, doesn’t exist anyway) is not at all what most people are clamoring for.
Warren needs to do her homework. She may find the money she’s looking for to pay for free childcare for all — she’s proposing an “Ultra-Millionaire Tax” — but what she can’t do is make mothers sign up.
Suzanne Venker (@SuzanneVenker) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. She is an author, columnist, and radio host. Her newest book, Women Who Win at Love: How to Build a Relationship That Lasts, was published in October 2019. Suzanne’s website is www.suzannevenker.com.
