4 ms·
Not disputing your other points, but: > we already subsidise child-rearing through taxation. Single, childless people are taxed at a higher rate In the US, be
by ak217 6y ago
Not disputing your other points, but:
> we already subsidise child-rearing through taxation. Single, childless people are taxed at a higher rate
In the US, being married is a tax advantage only if one partner earns much more than the other. Otherwise it's a wash.
In the US, the child tax credit is $2K per child per year. In most cases, this does not come close to covering the costs of raising a child.
So, no, for most people being discussed in the article (generally, dual earners in HCOL US areas), child-rearing is not significantly subsidized through taxation (at least not at the income tax level as you implied).
- ergocoder 6y agoBut having child is your choice. It's so strange to complain that government doesn't cover the cost of your child. You choose to have your child. I'm sure you plan to support your child. This is like me complaining that government doesn't subsidize my Tesla.
- tbatchelli 6y agoHaving a child is not in the same league as buying a Tesla. That Tesla won’t be a contributing member of society and pay taxes when you retire. Yes it is a decision. Sometimes selfish, most often foolish, but in all cases needed. And all benefit.
- piva00 6y agoA Tesla is a consumer good, a child is an investment in the future of the society. I'm childless, I will very likely be childless my whole life but this attitude is both: very naive, very ignorant and very very reductionist. I'm happy that my taxes here in Sweden pay for child support, childcare and schools that I won't ever use, because that is the basic fabric of this society.
- ergocoder 6y agoIt's an investment that the parents will reap 10000x the benefit compared to everyone else in the society. Also, it's very rare that people think they are going to bear a child to improve society. Adoption would make much much more sense if that was their goal. In any case, people want to have children, sure. Then they complain that having a child is so tough so much hardship (e.g. no vacation ever in this thread, child tax credit is not enough). Then, they turn to society to support them in an unfair way Almost everyone knows the estimated cost and effort upfront. There are tons of materials and prior experience. It's like me spending all my cash on Tesla and then complain that society doesnt support me enough.