In a recent address, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen said, “It is still too hard to be a working parent.” Her words highlight a significant challenge in America, especially for mothers. Inspired by my college research paper, we’ll dive into the American childcare system and its negative impact on working women. We will start with an overview of the current state of the U.S. childcare system. and then discuss how traditional gender norms exacerbate the issue. Following this, we’ll examine the direct effects of childcare challenges on women's career paths, and consider some interesting potential solutions to the childcare crisis. I'm no expert, but I have researched this topic extensively and hope to provide an informative and engaging discussion!