Care in the states

America’s child care non-system isn’t working anywhere — but the Better Life Lab’s state case studies, published in the Atlantic, highlight the drastic differences around the country. In New Mexico, parents turn to the underground “gray market” for care. Georgia offers universal pre-K, but lacks affordable infant care. One of the best child care systems in the country, in Massachusetts, is too expensive for parents, while child care workers struggle to get by.

“Stretched: Working Parents’ Juggling Act,” a special series from NPR, offers a wide range of perspectives on the challenges facing working parents. And the Atlantic explores the lack of child care for college students with kids. Of course, these issues don’t affect all parents equally: a new study finds that dads enjoy parenting more than moms do, since moms get stuck with more difficult and unpleasant tasks.   

Luckily, working parents are getting more attention than ever from politicians. At our Care in America launch event, Dan Kowalski of the Trump campaign commented on Trump’s policy proposals for parents. How did Republicans learn to love working mothers?

 The crisis of elder care

Like child care, the system of home care for the elderly and disabled is in crisis. Though home health care workers are crucial caregivers for millions of people, this workforce, primarily made up of women of color, is low-paid and economically vulnerable. In the New America Weekly, what’s wrong with our direct-care system, why it matters — and why care is an immigration issue. In a recent interview, critical theorist Nancy Fraser articulates an anti-capitalist critique of the crisis of care and a new vision for feminism.

For an international perspective on elder care, the short documentary film Taller Than the Trees follows a Japanese father caring for his elderly mother and young son while balancing a demanding career. The Better Life Lab attended the DC screening of this powerful project — if you missed it, watch the film and read the director’s commentary in the New York Times.

Women, work, and family: new insights

Why do so few women occupy top leadership positions? According to McKinsey’s latest Women in the Workplace study, women continue to face discrimination at every rung of the career ladder, experiencing fewer promotions, less feedback, pushback from negotiation, and a host of other obstacles. From Gallup, Women in America: Work and Life Well-Lived offers new data on women’s experiences with work-life balance and how companies can change their policies and cultures to support women in the workplace. Two particular issues women face: the wrong kind of support during pregnancy and a tendency to follow the rules too much when applying for jobs. One major obstacle could also have some surprising benefits, however: a new study suggests that women with children have more successful careers than those who don’t.  

Economic justice for working families

A groundbreaking new rule from the Department of Labor mandates paid sick leave for federal contractors — a policy that could help over a million families. Employees can use their paid sick days for their own illnesses or to take care of sick family members. In the private sector, the Fight for 15 fast food workers’ movement is beginning to push for fair scheduling practices, including more advance notice and consistent hours. These changes could be especially critical for parents trying to find consistent child care. Another important proposal for low-income families is Hillary Clinton’s plan to change the refundability threshold for the child tax credit, a seemingly small change that could have a big impact on America’s poorest families.

Abroad and alone

While many female immigrants struggle with low-paid work, some are not allowed to work at all: the H4 visa — for dependents of H1B work visa holders — prevents many immigrant wives from working, leaving them isolated and dependent on their husbands in a foreign country. Quartz explores the plight of educated Indian housewives on H4 visas.

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About New America

New America is dedicated to the renewal of American politics, prosperity, and purpose in the Digital Age. Our hallmarks are big ideas, pragmatic policy solutions, technological innovation, and creative engagement with broad audiences. Read the rest of our story, or see what we've been doing recently in our latest Annual Report.

About the Better Life Lab

New America’s Breadwinning & Caregiving Program is thrilled to unveil a new name, the Better Life Lab, and an updated agenda to transform policy and culture so that people and families have the opportunity to live their best lives at work and at home. As a “lab,” we are dedicated to disruptive experiments, collaborative work, and innovative thinking.

“Your Life, Better: News From the Better Life Lab” will be our way to keep you in the know, featuring the best of what we’re reading and writing about gender equity, the evolution of work, and social policies that support 21st-century families. We will be a clear signal amid the noise to share what’s fresh and crucial to an inclusive vision of work-life, gender, and income equity issues.

Meet the Better Life Lab Team

Better Life Lab

Real choices. Real parity. All people.