By Mary E. Forsberg

INTRODUCTION

One of the great challenges our society faces is balancing work and family. We value work for its role in producing and sustaining economic growth. We increasingly recognize the importance of strong families in building healthy and dynamic communities. But finding a proper balance between the demands of work and the needs of families is difficult. More mothers with children work than ever before. More single parent households exist. Most people must work to provide for their families but are torn between the demands of their jobs and the needs of their children, spouses and aging parents. At the same time businesses are finding it difficult to recruit, train and retain skilled workers.

Public policy must play a role in helping to resolve this situation; the issue is too big for people to solve on their own.

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