Some of these issues are probably more pronounced in the high-tech areas. There is a loss of economic productivity involved. Juggling childcare and eldercare requires time off from work and the lack of supports causes major damage every day. It is a tale of discretion and choice, but setting up policies help. At the top of the labor market it seems to work fine.
People have insurance, assets, sick leave, and flex jobs.
At the bottom end people do not have any of the above, and it is those folks who, basically, are going to be our big issues in the near future. In many cases it will tear those families and network of friends to pieces, and we have witnessed that to some extent. Caregiver occupations are also the lowest-paying occupations , working conditions are rough, and turnover is quite high. In Austin, we are reaching a crisis in terms of childcare providers going out of business. You cannot get workers to take childcare and eldercare jobs because they pay dirt and it is tough work.