JD Vance Ridiculed for His Bizarre Idea to Decrease Day Care Costs

By: Georgia | Published: Sep 06, 2024

JD Vance, during an interview with Charlie Kirk at a church in Mesa, Arizona, suggested that families could reduce daycare expenses by involving relatives more. 

He said, “maybe grandma or grandpa wants to help out a little bit more. Or maybe there’s an aunt or uncle that wants to help out a little bit more.”

Audience Question Triggers Vance's Response

The question that prompted Vance’s response came from an audience member during the interview, asking, “What can we do about lowering the cost of day care?” 

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Interior of a modern daycare center with colorful furniture, educational toys, and a spacious play area with natural light

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Vance acknowledged this as an “important question” and offered family involvement as a potential solution to alleviate financial pressures on parents.

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Social Media Critiques Vance’s Family-Centric Solution

Following the interview, social media users expressed their dissatisfaction with Vance’s suggestions. 

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A man in a casual blazer speaking intensely at a conference, gesturing with his right hand, with a blurred blue background

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Many criticized the practicality and relevance of relying on grandparents for childcare, pointing out the broader systemic issues that his suggestion fails to address.

The Growing Financial Burden of Child Care

Vance’s comments come at a time when many American families are struggling with rising child care costs. 

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A wooden tray filled with large wooden letters and jars of colorful Play-Doh on a table in a daycare setting

Source: Gautam Arora/Unsplash

He recognizes this issue, suggesting that community and familial support could help mitigate these financial challenges, offering alternatives to traditional daycare settings.

Vance Proposes Easier Entry into Daycare Professions

Furthering his suggestions, JD Vance proposed reducing barriers for becoming a daycare worker. 

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He stated, “What we have to do is actually empower people to get trained in the skills that they need for the 21st century,” emphasizing the need to make child care professions more accessible.

The Debate Over Child Care Worker Qualifications

In the same discussion, Vance criticized the current requirements for child care professionals, arguing that they are excessively stringent and unrelated to the actual care of children. 

An adult and a child drawing a picture together

Source: Gabe Pierce/Unsplash

He said, “Don’t force every early child care specialist to go and get a six-year college degree.”

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Child Care Costs in Presidential Debate

The issue of child care costs was briefly addressed in the first 2024 presidential debate. 

Several colorful children’s aprons hanging on hooks under a shelf filled with various items, against a yellow and green painted wall

Source: Mike Fox/Unsplash

Many parents voiced their disappointment online about the limited discussion on this pressing issue, highlighting the need for more focused policy solutions.

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Political Figures Address Child Care Costs

Both current and former political figures have addressed child care costs in their campaigns and policies. 

Vice President Kamala Harris smiling while speaking at a podium with the Presidential Seal, in front of an audience at an indoor event

Source: VP/X

Vice President Kamala Harris has spoken about tackling high child care costs, while former President Trump implemented child tax credits during his term.

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Public Demand for Policy Focus on Child Care

The public’s response to the presidential debate indicates a strong desire for more comprehensive policy solutions to the child care crisis. 

A blurred foreground image of toy cars on a carpet with children playing in the background in a daycare setting

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Many are calling for clearer, more detailed plans from political leaders to address the escalating costs that burden families.

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Vance’s Comments on Education and Certification Requirements

Vance also commented on the varying education and certification requirements for daycare workers across states, suggesting these do not always align with the needs of child care provision. 

JD Vance standing next to a woman in a red dress, both applauding at a political rally with a large American flag in the background

Source: JDVance/X

He highlighted the discrepancies in requirements, which he believes should be simplified.

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Criticism of Vance’s Suggestions on Family-Based Care

Vance’s suggestion to utilize family members for child care was met with criticism for seeming out of touch with the realities of modern family dynamics and the professional nature of child care. 

A heartwarming scene of a grandfather lifting his giggling toddler grandchild in the air, in a warmly lit living room

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Critics argue that such suggestions do not constitute a feasible policy solution.

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Future Discussions on Child Care in America

JD Vance’s comments have sparked a wider conversation about how to effectively support working families in managing child care costs. 

Former President Donald Trump clapping next to JD Vance, who is also clapping, at a political rally with supporters in the background

Source: GOP/X

This discussion is crucial as families across the country continue to face financial strain from rising daycare expenses, prompting a call for innovative solutions and thoughtful policy-making.

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