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Kamala Harris’ New Bill for Working Families Doesn’t Go Far Enough
We need to get real about family-friendly schools and workplaces
I rushed over to my son’s parent-teacher meeting and waved hello to the front desk officer, then scrambled past the congregated parents collected in the hallway and signed my name on the check-in sheet sitting outside the classroom. It’s a rare moment, interacting with my son’s teacher, who is only available until school lets out at 3:15 p.m. Normally, I chat with his after-school program director or activity leader who waits with the program kids until about 6 p.m., as all the working parents of the community file into the cafeteria, search for their child, and file back out. The after-school program staff give me a 30-second rundown of my 7-year-old’s day, from what he ate to who he pushed on the playground. Then we scurry home, left to manage the three remaining viable hours in the evening for dinner, discussion, homework, and self-care.
This scenario — known as the three-hour gap—is the daily reality for 10 million children who attend after-school programs in the United States, according to a 2014 report. Black and Brown children are at least two times more likely to be enrolled in an after-school program than White children — highlighting that the need for comprehensive programming affects…
