BLOG 10

After the welfare reform mothers had to make a lot of adaptations. Mothers had to first and foremost adapt to the welfare reform conditions that was set. There were many actions that these mothers had taken to adapt to new strategies. Mothers had to become more flexible than usual after the welfare reform. They also had to arrange their work schedule or their child care schedules. According to the reading mothers did not know which one, work or child care, to put first. Some mothers structured their work schedules around their child care schedule. Also, there were some mothers who structured their child care schedules around their work schedule. In the reading, it gives the example of the mother name Cassandra who tried to structure her work shift to fit her child care schedule. However, she then changed it to where she fit her child care around her work schedule. Some mothers thought this type of arrangements were "strategically interrelated" (Chaudry page. 180) between work and care. There were issues sometimes in which mothers could not find child care that corresponded with their work schedule. Also, the priorities of mothers happen to change as the child age. When the children are younger mothers tend to work less hours however, as they age they tend to work more hours. Referring back to the reading, after the welfare reform mothers "sought out subsidies for their child care." They would "utilize" work subsidies to get "center base care" (PowerPoint chapter 5 and 6). This was sought out to be the key for care arrangements. In chapter five, a mother name Sarah used subsidized child care for her children because she was in school and work. If she did not have it she would not have been able to attend or get her daughter developmental care that was needed. Mothers find it most difficult for subsidized care when the children are infant because there are not that many options available for "infants and young toddlers" (Chaudry page. 182).


Chaudry findings and recommendations made interesting points and I definitely agree that "America needs to decide what role it wants to play in the lives of young children" (Chaudry page. 191). According to Chaudry, about 60 percent of the child care that is provided in the United States is funded by parents. Due to low paying jobs and affordability mothers had to often place their children in low quality care arrangements in which their child don't get the proper developmental opportunities as other children. The United States do not provide much support for young children. According to Chaudry, there is no unified system of early care nor education for children. There is also not enough funding therefore, funding should be increased for child care. The government should also create a policy that basically "acknowledges" single working mothers. Chaudry also recommend that the government should try and work for a policy that can break the cycle of poverty. Also, the government to create a more simpler system to the application process and access. There are many different recommendations that Chaudry addressed such as providing child care to all families that are eligible. This is because subsidized child care is important to mothers especially those working low income jobs. Furthermore, he addressed that educational investments should "foster early childhood development" (Chaudry page. 195). Chaudry also recommended that there should be an increase in available "care options and supports for families with infants." Chaudry argued that there should be more child care subsidies in low income families that consist of infants and toddlers. Due to how the system work for child care subsidies, toddlers and infants are the least that is served which is very critical. Since these toddlers and infants do not have many options for child care subsidies, it put a strain on working mothers to try and find child care arrangements. At this time, subsidies is needed the most and child care options should be available to working mothers at this time. Mothers and families have been struggling to survive. The government should do something to try and prevent this from happening. There should be more funding and more assistance available for these families. One particular funding group that is trying to help with food assistance is the Salvation Army. According to the video clip, the salvation army had lunch programs 5 days a week to hand out lunches to kids. There should be more funding and assistance available for children and families. Something should be done to put an end to poverty.