Everyone remembers “Leave It to Beaver,” where every day the Beave would come home from school and be met by his mother, June Cleaver, with open arms.

Now on popular television shows like “Home Improvement,” both the mother and father work.

The American household has not only changed on television, but it also has changed in real life. No longer is it typical for June Cleaver-mother types to welcome their children home from school with milk and cookies.

In fact, since 1969 there has been a 25.3 percent increase in the incomes of married couples with kids, according to a Census Bureau analysis.

Why?

Mainly because mom has put on her work boots and trudged her way into the work force.

Without working mothers’ income counted, the married couples’ income would only have increased 1.5 percent.

Is it a good thing that more mothers are working? Is it hurting anyone?

With the safety of child care questioned continuously, it seems as if the children are losing out in this deal.

Little Bobbie may have a PlayStation and all the toys his heart desires, but is he getting the quality child care he deserves while his mother and father are working 10 hours a day?

There is nothing wrong with mothers (or fathers) entering the work force.

There is no rule that states it is the mother’s duty to stay at home and raise the children.

But if society continues as it is today, with children growing up in households where both parents work, there needs to be better child care facilities.

Neither a mother nor a father should have to worry about putting their child in daycare if they decide to work.

State laws that license child care facilities need to be re-evaluated to ensure parents are getting the best possible care for children.

If society has made it necessary for both the mother and father to work to afford necessities, such as food and shelter, then parents shouldn’t be looked down upon for sending their children to daycare.

Politicians blame parents for what is happening to the youth of America.

But until either child care facilities are up to par or parents can afford to stay at home, the welfare of children just won’t get better.