Interdependence of Child Care Resources and the Progress of Women in Society

The development of child care resources on a wide scale has crucial and direct relevance to the progess of women. Child care needs are increasing as growing numbers of women enter the labor force and choose higher educational goals. Identifiable groups of women in different living arrangements who are in need of child care and the availability of various kinds of child care are discussed. The development of need-based alternative child care resources that would facilitate the progress of women is considered in terms of social, economic and political issues. Feasible alternatives for incorporating child care into education and industry are presented. The special advantage of these alternatives is that they would associate child care with work and education rather than with welfare. Because the institutions of work and education are central to society they could provide a broad foundation for the future development of child care on a wide scale.