What's wrong with day care : freeing parents to raise their own children

Written by a former househusband, this evocative and timely book challenges conventional wisdom about child care. Arguing that Americans have wrongly embraced day care and devalued work that is traditionally done by women, Charles Siegel reveals the negative effects of day care on children and the family. Moreover, he claims that for social and environmental reasons, both men and women must reevaluate modern life styles and recognize the value of the home economy, as well as that of the money economy. Federal and state tax laws and most private programs give funding to all parents who put their children in day care but give nothing to parents who cut back on their work hours to care for their own children. Challenging the conventional wisdom about child care, this book argues that Americans have wrongly embraced day care and devalued work that is traditionally done by women. The book reveals the negative side effects of day care on children and the family, and asserts that for social and environmental reasons, both men and women must reevaluate modern life styles and recognize the value of the home economy, as well as that of the money economy. The chapters of the book are: (1) "The Family in Perspective"; (2) "Modernizing Away the Family"; (3) "Psychological Effects of Day Care"; (4) "Legislation for Our Children"; (5) "Humanizing Our Economy"; and (6) "A New Direction," calling for a different social framework that elevates the home economy while downplaying consumerism. An afterword provides the author's reflection on staying at home with his son, the economic pressures entailed, and the personality contrasts between his son and his day care friends, underscoring the premise of the book. (Each chapter contains references. Includes a 115-item bibliography.) (HTH) Charles Siegel ; With A Foreword By Christopher Lasch. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 135-140) And Index.