Regarding parental worries about financial security—I agree that this is heavily dependent on where one lives. In countries with stronger social safety nets, parental leave, affordable housing, and socialized medicine (like Germany and the UK, to some degree), parents need not stress as much. In the US, parents worry a LOT about loss of jobs, which means loss of affordable health insurance; many jobs are less flexible in terms of hours, sick leave, and vacation time; and some cities are absurdly unaffordable for parents who need at least a 3 or 4-bedroom place. Another huge factor is whether public schools are good enough and safe enough for one’s kids to actually go there—or whether one needs to spend the extra for private schools.
On the other hand, I agree with your point about kids not costing quite as much at a day-to-day level as one might think. In many cities there are thriving second-hand markets for kids’ clothing, toys, equipment, strollers, etc—we’ve bought almost nothing new. It’s easy for parents to get caught up in brand-conscious runaway consumerism—but hopefully EAs have the wit and perspective to avoid such nonsense! :)
Sjlver—thanks very much for these comments.
Regarding parental worries about financial security—I agree that this is heavily dependent on where one lives. In countries with stronger social safety nets, parental leave, affordable housing, and socialized medicine (like Germany and the UK, to some degree), parents need not stress as much. In the US, parents worry a LOT about loss of jobs, which means loss of affordable health insurance; many jobs are less flexible in terms of hours, sick leave, and vacation time; and some cities are absurdly unaffordable for parents who need at least a 3 or 4-bedroom place. Another huge factor is whether public schools are good enough and safe enough for one’s kids to actually go there—or whether one needs to spend the extra for private schools.
On the other hand, I agree with your point about kids not costing quite as much at a day-to-day level as one might think. In many cities there are thriving second-hand markets for kids’ clothing, toys, equipment, strollers, etc—we’ve bought almost nothing new. It’s easy for parents to get caught up in brand-conscious runaway consumerism—but hopefully EAs have the wit and perspective to avoid such nonsense! :)