Sociologists are noticing how the 'ethic of care' benefits the mental wellbeing of citizens and how valuing more than the earning of money is vital to a healthy society. Legal theorists are now noticing that state intervention to take sides in lifestyle and career choices discriminates against a basic freedom. Feminists are noticing that to value women really does not mean putting down men or forcing women into formerly all-male careers but in fact is to liberate men and women to a full range of career options, paid and unpaid. The third wave of feminism actually supports valuing unpaid labor and choice. In terms of care of children, we know that childhood stress is on the increase. What matters to the care of children according to several studies including the 1980 Senate study "Child at Risk" is not related to daycare or nondaycare but it is related to two factors:
-the one taking care of the child from birth to age 3 should be the same person
-the one taking care of the child should be passionately committed to that child.
This caregiver then can be a relative, friend, neighbor, grandmother, nanny. It need not be the parent. But it could be. We know by recent statistics that only 17% of parents currently can use the tax break for child-care in its present restricted form. We know also by polls by Angus Reid in 2000 and by the Canadian Policy Research Network in 1999 that a majority of parents want more choices and economic supports for them.
In a free society the ones in the best position to decide who it should be are the parents. They alone know their own paid work schedules, personalities, health and they alone understand the changing needs of their child. To be flexible enough to adapt to these observations without tax penalty from the state is a goal of this petition.
In terms of the care of the handicapped, elderly and seniors, those who are not currently earning money are nonethless worthwhile members of society and their care is a social obligation. A free society must allow adults to juggle their caregiving obligations in nonpunitive ways. |
