Dr. Karen Guzzo

Yeah, so that's interesting. So Sweden has also seen a decline in fertility. And so when I was giving interviews, you know, 10, 15 years ago, I'd say, oh, I wish we could be Sweden. That would help us. And of course, they've seen these declines, too. What I will say is Sweden's fertility rate is much, much, much better than Japan or China or South Korea.

Yeah, so that's interesting. So Sweden has also seen a decline in fertility. And so when I was giving interviews, you know, 10, 15 years ago, I'd say, oh, I wish we could be Sweden. That would help us. And of course, they've seen these declines, too. What I will say is Sweden's fertility rate is much, much, much better than Japan or China or South Korea.

where they have social safety nets, where they have child care programs and leave programs, but they don't have gender equality in any way, shape, or form in either the labor force or in the division of labor in the home. And so gender equality might be what keeps places from tipping over. well below replacement and into that super low levels that people start to really worry about.

where they have social safety nets, where they have child care programs and leave programs, but they don't have gender equality in any way, shape, or form in either the labor force or in the division of labor in the home. And so gender equality might be what keeps places from tipping over. well below replacement and into that super low levels that people start to really worry about.

where they have social safety nets, where they have child care programs and leave programs, but they don't have gender equality in any way, shape, or form in either the labor force or in the division of labor in the home. And so gender equality might be what keeps places from tipping over. well below replacement and into that super low levels that people start to really worry about.

And so I think that's what a lot of young adults are looking at. They're like, I think that's what I want. I think I want to have a partner who will help me out. And we're in this boat together. And what tends to happen is a lot of people have that thought before they have kids. And then the constraints of the labor market make it such that it's really difficult to have in practice.

And so I think that's what a lot of young adults are looking at. They're like, I think that's what I want. I think I want to have a partner who will help me out. And we're in this boat together. And what tends to happen is a lot of people have that thought before they have kids. And then the constraints of the labor market make it such that it's really difficult to have in practice.

And so I think that's what a lot of young adults are looking at. They're like, I think that's what I want. I think I want to have a partner who will help me out. And we're in this boat together. And what tends to happen is a lot of people have that thought before they have kids. And then the constraints of the labor market make it such that it's really difficult to have in practice.

So if you can't afford childcare, one of you is going to stay home. I And then you kind of default back into traditional divisions of labor, even though that's not what people originally wanted or at least said they wanted.

So if you can't afford childcare, one of you is going to stay home. I And then you kind of default back into traditional divisions of labor, even though that's not what people originally wanted or at least said they wanted.

So if you can't afford childcare, one of you is going to stay home. I And then you kind of default back into traditional divisions of labor, even though that's not what people originally wanted or at least said they wanted.

Yeah, it's a really big problem in the United States. And it's one that other countries, including countries that do have low birth rates, other countries have dealt with. In the United States, we have very much individualized, you know, if you're going to have a baby, you better figure out how you're going to pay for it and whether you can afford child care.

Yeah, it's a really big problem in the United States. And it's one that other countries, including countries that do have low birth rates, other countries have dealt with. In the United States, we have very much individualized, you know, if you're going to have a baby, you better figure out how you're going to pay for it and whether you can afford child care.

Yeah, it's a really big problem in the United States. And it's one that other countries, including countries that do have low birth rates, other countries have dealt with. In the United States, we have very much individualized, you know, if you're going to have a baby, you better figure out how you're going to pay for it and whether you can afford child care.

So, you know, budgetary rules, they recommend that child care should cost no more than 7% of your income. There is not a single state where that is possible. At the minimum, it's like 10 percent and it goes up to like 20 percent. And there are studies on child care deserts that compare the price of infant care to the price of a four-year college degree.

So, you know, budgetary rules, they recommend that child care should cost no more than 7% of your income. There is not a single state where that is possible. At the minimum, it's like 10 percent and it goes up to like 20 percent. And there are studies on child care deserts that compare the price of infant care to the price of a four-year college degree.

So, you know, budgetary rules, they recommend that child care should cost no more than 7% of your income. There is not a single state where that is possible. At the minimum, it's like 10 percent and it goes up to like 20 percent. And there are studies on child care deserts that compare the price of infant care to the price of a four-year college degree.

And so I think it's something like 38 states and D.C. where the average annual cost for infant care is more than the cost of tuition for a public university. I mean, that's the kind of stuff people are faced with. So what happens is just what you're saying is people leave the labor market. And when I say people, I mean mothers.

And so I think it's something like 38 states and D.C. where the average annual cost for infant care is more than the cost of tuition for a public university. I mean, that's the kind of stuff people are faced with. So what happens is just what you're saying is people leave the labor market. And when I say people, I mean mothers.

And so I think it's something like 38 states and D.C. where the average annual cost for infant care is more than the cost of tuition for a public university. I mean, that's the kind of stuff people are faced with. So what happens is just what you're saying is people leave the labor market. And when I say people, I mean mothers.