THE FOUR-THIRDS SOLUTION: Solving the Childcare Crisis in America Today

Over half of all preschool age children in America are in day care, and half of them are spending at least 35 hours a week there. But quality is the bigger problem. Most facilities (up to 90%) are substandard; even when they're good (stimulating cognitive skills, for example) they can't offer the emotional development skills that children need. Youngsters tend to enter school, therefore, with decent language abilities, but impaired social skills. They are increasingly aggressive, antisocial or depressed, lacking empathy and the ability to handle conflict, says Greenspan, clinical professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at George Washington University Medical School. Elevated levels of cortisol, a marker for stress, have been found in kids in the second half of their day-care day. Greenspan and journalist Salmon offer a specific solution: both parents should cut back to two-thirds time at work (two-thirds times two adds up to the book's title) and spend the time saved with their preschool kids. They examine six household configurations attempting versions of the four-thirds solution (divorced, work-at-home, tag-team, etc.). The authors conclude with tips on hiring better caregivers, if that's the only option, and some pleas for greater public commitment to children's welfare. Advocates of "voluntary simplicity" (i.e., willingness to make some material sacrifices to improve quality of life) and upper-middle-class couples will like Greenspan. Everyone else may feel too guilty (or appalled by the idea of working less) by page 12 to keep reading. Still, Greenspan's socially progressive proposals (he's not suggesting sticking women back in the home) and high profile in the baby field (he gets a blurb by pro Terry Brazelton) will yield some buzz. (Nov.)