A penetrating analysis and urgent call to action to address the growing childcare crisis for low-income families in the United States

“Who Cares for Our Children is one of the most disturbing books I have read in a long time. It should have a major impact on debates over poverty and social policy.”
—From the Foreword by Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Nickel and Dimed

“In this beautifully written and provocative volume, Polakow deftly steps aside and lets real mothers, struggling against the odds to keep their families safe and sound, speak for themselves about what they need. This book delivers a timely message: child care should be viewed as a human right.”
—Martha F. Davis, Northeastern University School of Law

“A collection of moving and often chilling personal narratives. . . . Who Cares for Our
Children is a powerful and well documented analysis of the worlds of low-income families.”
—Beth Blue Swadener, Arizona State University

“Thoroughly researched and grounded in a heartfelt sympathy for the struggles of families . . . that face such painful choices and dilemmas in meeting the needs of their children.”
—James Garbarino, Loyola University Chicago

Lack of access to affordable high-quality child care is frequently the tipping point that catapults a family into poverty, joblessness, and homelessness. Polakow presents the compelling stories of low-income women from across the nation and chronicles their resilient struggles in the face of ongoing child care crises. The resulting work is an incisive critique of public policy that points to the shameful record of the United States in caring for its children. Drawing on historical and international perspectives, Polakow creates a groundbreaking analysis of child care as a human right, persuasively arguing for a universal child care system.