ABSTRACT
In the first section, we focus on the value of children in different societies and how this value affects child-care policies. W e then discuss the discrepancies between children's needs and the resources available to meet those needs evident in various societies. W e argue that, although the causes of these discrepancies vary from one society to another, they have implications for the development of child-care policies. W hen focusing; as this book does, largely on similarities and differences among societies; differences in utilization and practice within societies
tend to be forgotten. In the third section, we therefore focus on such policyrelated aspects as attitudes about maternal employment and child care within; as well as between, societies. Finally, we discuss the effects of child care policies in different societes on the day-to-day experiences of children in out-of-home care.
