Part-Time Care: The Day-Care Problem

Abstract

There is a new and growing awareness that we have a national day-care problem. In 1962 Congress amended the Social Security Act making day-care services part of Title V, part 3. This broadens the range of public welfare services that have been developing under federal and state govern ments. Last year, Congress appropriated $4,000,000 for day care. This is small in relation to the need. Nine million children under twelve years of age have mothers employed outside the home. Less than one per cent of them are cared for in organized, subsidized day-care facilities. The most common plans made for the children are informal arrange ments with neighbors and relatives. Many children of six and over are on their own outside school hours. Nobody knows exactly what happens to these children. The needs of em ployers for women employees and the pressures of a material istic society lure mothers into the market. Is the public willing to support plans for the protection of the children?