"The difficulties in shaping children s policy stem not only from the sentiments that attach to the issues but also from a cultural reluctance to make children s needs a public responsibility. -- Hillary Rodham, 1977 "In The States of Child Care, Sara Gable gives voice to the perspectives of parents, practitioners, and advocates to help readers deepen their understanding of our past, what needs to change in the present, and what strategies they can use to make progress now." -- From the Foreword by Marcy Whitebook, Director, Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, Berkeley, CA As the U.S. economy continues to falter and families face ongoing wage stagnation and widening income inequalities, there is an urgent need for a better, integrated approach to child care. This accessible, up-to-date account of the chronic issues plaguing child care reform offers viable solutions drawn from a model state child care system in the state of North Carolina. Original data from interdisciplinary research illustrates the complex landscape of U.S. child care, as well as the ambiguous relationship society has with the sobering statistic that 64% of women with children under six are employed and in need of reliable, high-quality care of their young children. Book Features: * The history and demographics of U.S. child care policy. * Analysis of several persistent forces impeding the emergence of a national child care system. * Contemporary ideas about motherhood, employment, and providing child care for pay. * An extensive review of research on child care and child development. * Recommendations focusing on policy integration and workforce development.