Childcare and Sexual Freedom 

October 14, 2026

At the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, we envision a world that recognizes sexual freedom as the fundamental human right of all individuals. And we know that unless we are free to decide the number and timing of our children (should we choose to have them), and have safe, healthy environments in which to raise them, that world will remain out of reach.

As we write to you today, many people are struggling: concerned about daily survival, the health of the economy, and affordability. Our right to sexual freedom does not fare well in a time when many cannot meet their own basic needs. But there is hope for the future. A recent poll from The 19th and YouGov shows that we at Woodhull are not alone in wanting families to succeed.

According to the poll, the majority of Americans believe that the U.S. federal government should increase its spending on childcare. Of those Americans, support is highest among Gen Z voters compared to other age groups. Gen Z organizers note that childcare has become a central consideration for politics, and for good reason. They are part of a generation that could be priced out of the future they want for themselves.

To access sexual freedom, we need access to the necessities that make choices – for our bodies, our families, and our communities – possible. Affordable, high-quality childcare is one of those necessities. Without it, we can’t make truly free decisions about whether to grow our families.