New Books in Sociology 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 studying family inequalities and diaper insecurity, explores the hidden crisis of diaper need in American families. She traces the rise of disposables and policy gaps. Short scenes cover inventive caregiving tactics, racialized stigma, diaper banks, and proposed policy fixes like vouchers and bulk purchasing.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Disposable Diapers Became Essential And Expensive
- Disposable diapers became the U.S. norm because technological advances, daycare requirements, and more mothers entering paid work made them necessary and costly.
- By the 1990s disposables dominated and now cost families roughly $100–$120 per month, about $1,000 yearly, straining low-income budgets.
Safety Net Largely Omits Diaper Support
- Public programs largely omit diapers so many families face diaper insecurity similar to food insecurity.
- Only a small share qualify for cash welfare and for those who do a month's diaper bill can consume 8%–50% of benefits.
Policy Myths Make Diaper Need Invisible
- Misconceptions block policy: policymakers assume cloth diapers are a free alternative and that existing programs cover diapers.
- Cloth diapers incur time, startup costs, and daycare restrictions, and diapers remain taxed in about half of U.S. states.