By Maya Mackey
The RAPID-California Voices Project has published its first survey that tracks needs and experiences of parents of young children in L.A. County. The data presented was gathered between November 2022 and May 2024.
Parents of children six and under expressed that affording the necessities of life has become a struggle. When asked about their overall economic well-being, 60% described their financial problems as being “major” or “extreme.” The report also focused on material hardship aka “the bare necessities of life.” Results showed that in May 2024, 71% of LA County parents reported struggling with acquiring at least one primary need for their child (childcare, diapers, food, housing or healthcare). Most parents reported the reason behind their material hardship is also due to financial hardship.
“My biggest concern is not being able to pay rent, and if I do pay it, I won’t have enough for food…”
Los Angeles parent.
With a high stakes election rapidly approaching, we the people must ensure we make our voices heard and demand the change we need to build and sustain families successfully. Prop 33 could bring back rent control. Measures A and 5 will generate funds via taxes and bonds to build more inclusive affordable housing. Prop 35 aims to raise the minimum wage. If you’re a parent who identifies with the struggles in the RAPID-California Voices Survey, consider voting yes on these propositions and give yourself a fighting chance at caring for your family with less struggle and strife.
Kamala Harris has said one of her top priorities is to help the middle class and create an extended $6,000 child tax credit to cover essential childcare costs like food and adult supervision. With the price of childcare centers steadily increasing, it may be time to lean on alternative means like your local church, after school program, community center/non-profit, or family member.
Organizations like Community Coalition in Vermont Square or your local YMCA offers free to low-cost care for your child that is safe, fun and develops the child emotionally and mentally so that they are equipped to conduct themselves successfully when they join grade school and beyond.
We often overlook the importance of raising emotionally intelligent and regulated kids but the data backs up the philosophy of mind, body, and spirit. When our kids are cared for on an emotional level, they are more mentally sturdy, and grow up with a sense of resiliency, problem-solving skills and generally make better decisions than kids who are neglected or abused.
The American way of raising kids—sans a village—is killing us. Let’s use every tool in our arsenal to thrive – including voting for candidates and ordinances that give us a boost and seeking all means of support to care for our kids while we handle our business.
