This is a response to Victoria Hugo-Vidal’s child care column (“Why do we still have to make the case for child care?” Feb. 15). Having a child is a privilege and a choice, not a right. It is not society’s responsibility to provide parents with a break from the job they chose.

Having a parent always at home may mean that one parent works days and one works nights. It takes sacrifice: no vacations, no eating out, one TV, no $1,000 phones, no recreational vehicles, thrift clothes shopping, etc. People will claim it can’t be done because they are unwilling to sacrifice.

Unless people want society to tell them how to raise their child, they shouldn’t expect society to help pay for their child; Having that child was their choice and their responsibility!

Kathy Barkley
Caratunk