Whether or not we should open schools for in-person learning this fall is a hotly debated topic. It’s undeniable that schools form an essential part of our economy. In addition to educating our children and boosting their future economic opportunities, schools also keep kids out of the home during the day, which allows parents to go to work. If schooling is held remotely, many parents will have to worry about child supervision, along with other concerns like providing meals during the day. In light of these concerns, WalletHub, a personal finance website, conducted a national survey about parental attitudes concerning in-person versus remote learning. Managing editor Tami Roleff has details about what the survey found…
A national survey found that 55 percent of parents in the U.S. want schools to meet in person this fall, a view that WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez says is influenced by politics.
“Two-thirds of conservative parents want to have in-person learning this fall, compared to less than half of liberal parents.”
About one-third of parents are not able to work remotely.
“Some parents will have to choose between leaving their kids unsupervised, paying extra for childcare, or taking a leave from work.”
Men and women also have differing views on whether children should be sent back for in-person learning.
“About 31 percent more fathers than mothers want schools to reopen for in-person learning. The divide between fathers and mothers may be partially explained by the fact that women currently make up a smaller percentage of the workforce than men, and have been losing their jobs at a greater rate during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The complete survey is available below.
- Mixed feelings on teacher compensation. Almost 1 in 4 parents think that teachers who work remotely should either get paid less, work longer hours or give up vacation days.
- Fathers want schools to open more. 31 percent more fathers than mothers want schools to reopen for in-person learning.
- Politics impact reopening opinions. Two-thirds of conservative parents favor schools reopening, versus less than half of liberal parents.
- A significant share of parents, 32 percent, cannot work remotely. As schools move to remote learning this fall, this may create a difficult situation where some parents will have to choose between leaving their kids unsupervised, paying extra for childcare, or taking a leave from work.
About 31 percent more fathers than mothers want schools to reopen for in-person learning. The divide between fathers and mothers may be partially explained by the fact that women currently make up a smaller percentage of the workforce than men, and have been losing their jobs at a greater rate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
