The bestselling novel has been much discussed, but few commentators have noted its portrayal of the societal expectation of women to raise children, whether or not they want to.

Activists warn that these measures targeting transgender youth are “part of a larger, coordinated effort to roll back the rights for women broadly.”

Demand for affordable, high-quality childcare far outpaces availability, suppressing women’s participation in the workforce. Public investment is needed to quell the crisis.