Page 116 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2025

Strong Families,
story by Karen Sock, President and CEO of Sock Enterprises, Inc.
Across my career and as the President and CEO of
Sock Enterprises, Inc., I have partnered with companies and organizations to deliver a range of professional services, including strategic planning, leadership and staff development, team building, board development, and more. My work centers on helping organizations make thoughtful, strategic decisions about their people and the broader impact on their business. A consistent theme across all engagements is clear: when companies invest in and support their employees, everyone benefits.
STRONG ECONOMY
And, as a member of the ReadyNation Mississippi Early Childhood Investment Council, I know that child care issues can create a cascade of challenges for working parents. The lack of dependable and affordable child care results in a substantial financial burden for taxpayers, businesses, and parents, costing the U.S. economy
an estimated $122 billion annually in
lost earnings, productivity, and revenue, according to ReadyNation. In Mississippi alone, the yearly cost due to insufficient child care for children under 3 is $659 million.
Child care issues can trigger a series of problems for working parents, impacting their ability to maintain consistent work attendance and focus, leading to decreased productivity, reduced work hours, and lower income. These challenges can have a lasting negative impact on family well-being and economic stability.
Inadequate childcare negatively impacts employers through reduced revenue,
increased hiring and training costs due
to employee turnover, and potentially
lower product quality and customer loss. Employees burdened with childcare concerns are less productive and engaged, directly impacting a company’s success. Additionally, reduced earnings and household spending by working parents result in lower tax revenue for all levels of government, limiting investment in essential public services and infrastructure.
Families, businesses, and governments all face financial difficulties and setbacks in
the short term. Reduced earning potential for parents and limited opportunities for children can lead to cycles of poverty and inequality in the long run. Investing in the health and education of young children and their families is not only morally right but also economically essential. We can increase well-being, develop the workforce, and build a more prosperous future for everyone by providing families with strong support.
Karen Sock.
116 | August 2025
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