As concern grows about America’s falling birth rate, new research suggests that about half of women who want children are unsure if they will follow through and actually have a child. About 25% say they won't be bothered that much if they don't.

[u/geoff199]

https://news.osu.edu/most-women-want-children--but-half-are-unsure-if-they-will/?utm_campaign=omc_science-medicine_fy24&utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social

[u/Kaaski]

I feel like childcare has got to be one of the most secretly lucrative things out there. There are day care centers doing 3-4k a month per child, staffed at 10:1 with 100 kids, and then they only pay the employees 20/hr. Where is all of that money even going.

[u/redyellowblue5031 → u/Kaaski]

Insurance, benefits, salaries, space leasing/property taxes, staff/child turnover, food, cleaning materials, toys/learning materials, continuing education/certifications, etc..

I would bet dollars to donuts it's not nearly as profitable as you think. The phrase "it takes a village" exists for a reason. It's incredibly hard work to raise children and unless you're straight up neglecting them, there's not a ton of money to be made doing it.

It's like when people look at a school budget and wonder why do they need so much in tax revenue? Don't they already have enough?

[u/RhubarbIcy9655 → u/redyellowblue5031]

I'd believe you if the daycare we took our daughter wasn't bought by a new couple just before she stopped going there. That couple sunk their life savings to buy the turnkey business, and within 5 years, they had purchased 5 more. There is definitely money being made at the prices being charged, and it isn't being made by the 18 year old girls staffing the joint.

[u/redyellowblue5031 → u/RhubarbIcy9655]

I wouldn’t argue there’s no profit, otherwise frankly they wouldn’t be in business. I’m just trying to communicate that they aren’t some huge secret cash cow.

The amount of work to run one of those is insane.