I refer to the article Childcare services will not automatically lead to more female employment – minister (TMID, 28 April).

Actually parents also offer high quality childcare and I agree with the observation that parents are not just looking for ways to leave the kids so they can earn more money. Many parents feel strongly that they also want to be the ones to provide the loving care themselves.

What we need to do is this – recognise that a woman at home taking care of a baby is actually working, is contributing to the GDP by raising a future taxpayer and is saving the state money in costly institutional care for the child.

If we redefined “work” itself, we would realise that an economy is naive to pressure all women out of the home. They are already working in the home, and are just undervalued. Money directed to all care of all kids would help women choose daycare or grandma care or parental care as the kid needs, and as the parents feel best for the child. End of child poverty. End of pressure of women to be places they may not want to be.

In the third wave of women’s rights struggles, we do not just say women have value working outside the home. We say they have value in the home too.

Beverley Smith

Calgary,

Canada