Kids in the 2012 Election

Kissing babies is part of the old cliche of electoral campaigning, and candidates often stump on a message of “a better future for our children.” But how serious are the candidates about child issues, like health, economic security and safety? Voices’ nonpartisan civic engagement work watches child policy and gives families a chance to speak out.

Voices Report: Only 2 percent of 2012 debates about kids’ issues

With 22 percent of American children living in poverty, why are we only talking about kids’ issues 2 percent of the time? Poverty is just one of many issues the 2012 presidential candidates ignored in their series of debates. As our new report shows, issues of child well-being — child health, K-12 education, early childhood care, and more — made up only 2 percent of the talk.

Learn more!

Primer: Children’s issues in 2012

Around $374 billion of the annual federal budget goes to programs that help children. But where, exactly? How do federal investments in education, health and economic security work, what more can be done, and how have politicians proposed we do less?

This Voices 2012 election guide is a primer to child policy and government spending. Journalists, activists and policy wonks all will find vital information on what’s happening now in child policy and what changes likely lie ahead for the services that protect America’s most important investment: the next generation.

Learn more!