New Books in Public Policy Jennifer Randles, "Living Diaper to Diaper: The Hidden Crisis of Poverty and Motherhood" (U California Press, 2026)
Mar 5, 2026
Jennifer Randles, sociologist and author of Living Diaper to Diaper, investigates diaper insecurity and its ties to parenting policy. She traces how disposables became essential and why safety nets miss diapers. She explores parents' creative coping, the rise of diaper banks and their limits, and policy ideas like vouchers and WIC-style programs.
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Disposable Diapers Became A Necessity For Modern Work And Care
- Disposable diapers became the social norm as daycare requirements and more mothers entering paid work made cloth impractical.
- By the 1980s–90s disposables dominated, now used at least partially by ~95% of U.S. children and costing about $100–$120 monthly per child.
Diaper Costs Can Consume A Large Share Of Meager Welfare Benefits
- Diaper costs are substantial relative to low-income supports, roughly $1,000 per year and can consume 8%–50% of average welfare benefits for a family of three.
- Public programs like WIC typically exclude diapers, while direct cash aid covers only a small share of families in poverty.
Policy Blind Spots Persist Because Diapers Are Overlooked
- Policymakers and the public often assume cloth diapers or existing programs cover needs, creating a vacuum of awareness and support.
- Many officials simply don't know diaper prices or that programs like WIC do not systematically provide diapers.
