Republicans and Democrats could hardly have more starkly different ideas for family policy. Take care and education: the Republicans’ Project 2025 would zero out Head Start, costing over 750,000 low-income children and families their childcare and wraparound support, and move toward a deeply privatized version of public education modeled after the now-cautionary tale in Arizona. Meanwhile, presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has suggested that she wants to finish implementing the Biden administration’s care and education policies, which include enormous infusions of funds to build out an affordable childcare system and shore up public schools.
Yet in a deeper sense, both parties are missing the point. Public policy on its own does not resonate with individuals’ sense of identity or place in society. There is little question that many Americans today are craving meaning but not finding it: trust…