The Ascend report ignores care provided by parents themselves. It ignores parents who would prefer to care for their children themselves and could do so if they had some financial support for their caregiving. When researchers ask parents what kind of care they prefer for their young children, a significant portion of parents say they want to provide care themselves (see Bipartisan Policy Center's 2021 report: Child Care Market Analysis). Ascend named their report "Toward a More Equitable Tomorrow" yet they embrace inequity, advocating for care for children when it's provided by child care professionals only. A significant portion of parents provide care for their own children, and their caregiving is funded at $0. Ascend perpetuates inequality.
The Ascend report ignores care provided by parents themselves. It ignores parents who would prefer to care for their children themselves and could do so if they had some financial support for their caregiving. When researchers ask parents what kind of care they prefer for their young children, a significant portion of parents say they want to provide care themselves (see Bipartisan Policy Center's 2021 report: Child Care Market Analysis). Ascend named their report "Toward a More Equitable Tomorrow" yet they embrace inequity, advocating for care for children when it's provided by child care professionals only. A significant portion of parents provide care for their own children, and their caregiving is funded at $0. Ascend perpetuates inequality.