The Mother Of It All Are We Overinvested in Parenthood? A Converstaion With Sociologist Nina Bandelj
Apr 6, 2026
Nina Bandelj, sociology professor at UC Irvine and author of Overinvested, studies how parenting has been economized and emotionalized. She explores children as human capital, privatized parenting, rising costs and inequality. The conversation examines parental sacrifice, burnout, and how cultural norms shape what we do for kids.
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Children Framed As Human Capital Changes Parenting Logic
- The concept of children as human capital reframes kids as investments to yield future economic returns.
- Nina traces the spread of terms like "human capital" and "parental investment" into policy and public discourse since Gary Becker.
Money And Emotions Power Modern Parenting Choices
- Economization (money, debt, financial instruments) and emotionalization (parental identity and feelings) work together to drive overinvestment.
- Nina calls this mix the "beauty and the beast" where money expresses devotion and emotions justify spending.
Childcare And Education Costs Ballooned Relative To Income
- Child-related spending grew disproportionately: childcare and education increased eightfold relative to other expenses since the 1960s.
- Rising prices plus cultural pressure to invest make financial sacrifices feel much larger for modern parents.
