classmate’s question observation as in the case of in-­­class discussion response must be respectful and on-­­ point.In “The Earnings
Effect of Sexual Orientation” by Black et al, there is a very interesting discussion on the variation in pay based upon sexual orientation. I think it would be even
more interesting with more recent data, as many of the results may change significantly with the much larger out population due to the massive improvements in legal
status and social acceptability. I wonder if the changes will cause a regression towards the mean, as the people who are less visible become a more significant part of
the data set. The experience I want to discuss about it is to agree with the divergence in occupation due to sexual orientation, particularly among older women. I have
aunts who are Electrical Engineers and had been in the military, all much more traditionally masculine careers. Their friend group is similarly largely former military
and in largely technical fields. Even the one in medicine is in radiology, not the most directly care-related portion of the field. They have talked about the
difference in goals, knowing that they would absolutely have to provide for them self, making a fairly high-paying, stable career the highest priority, in contrast to
the sort of social expectation that existed that heterosexual women getting married would instead have someone to take care of them. Though this, again, is an area
where I wonder about social change having affected life – that independence is more universal, and the assumption of not having someone with whom costs and benefits
can be shared have changed so much.

“Public Spending on Children in the United States” by Folbre discusses public subsidies for childcare. The high amount of assistance provided by European countries is
a rather stark contrast to the rather limited subsidies provided in the US. It seems as though the US would benefit from more assistance in providing childcare. My
question is what sort of assistance could actually be supported in the US? I think that there would be much more support for a system like the Finnish Baby Box, which
applies to everyone would hold broad support by benefiting everyone, but would it be able to be started, due to the high costs? Is there a chance that a more means-
dependent system would pass? If so, how would it not become a bogeyman as an “entitlement?”