Child-care in capitalism

A third of parents turn down jobs because they cannot afford childcare, according to a study, reported in the Guardian. 40% are considering leaving work because they cannot afford to pay for someone to look after their children Nearly half of people in severe poverty are cutting back on food to afford childcare.

Britain's poorest families are getting into debt because of the high cost of childcare. Parents spend almost a third of their incomes on childcare – more than anywhere else in the world, according to Save the Children and the Daycare Trust. Parents, regardless of income, cannot afford not to work but struggle to pay for childcare, and despite many parents cutting back their spending almost a quarter are in debt because of childcare costs. A quarter of parents in severe poverty have given up work and a third have turned down a job mainly because of high childcare costs.