Oklahoma’s rural roots and emerging high-tech industries offer plenty of variety in terms of employment. With only about 1.2% of the nation’s population, 13.5% of the state’s population consists of children under the age of 12.
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Interestingly, Oklahoma also has about 1.2% of the nation’s families, as well as about 1.2% of the children under age 6 potentially needing child care. Yet the state has nearly 1.6% of the nation’s families living in poverty. It would be easy to conclude that the poverty rate in Oklahoma could drop if more parents would utilize child care so they can work, but these numbers don’t necessarily correlate. They do, however, show the need for affordable child care in the state. There are over 1.5 times as many single-parent families in Oklahoma as there are Oklahoma families in poverty, so it is clear that many single parents are utilizing available child care in order to provide for their families.
Unfortunately the number of children potentially needing child care in Oklahoma outpaces the number of slots available, both in child care centers and in family child care homes. Of course this doesn’t count the large numbers of children who stay with grandparents or babysitters who don’t run licensed facilities. The requests for child care are almost completely for full-time care.
Parents may work long hours in Oklahoma to provide for their families, but it’s a friendly state with plenty of cowboy charm. Drive along the back roads in western Oklahoma, and you’ll still encounter other drivers going the other direction who will give you a friendly and courteous wave as you pass each other. While the state does have two major metropolitan areas–Oklahoma City and Tulsa–most of Oklahoma consists of smaller cities and towns and wide-open spaces.
Oklahomans are proud of their Native American heritage, and many historic sites and museums pay homage to those who lived in what was once Indian Territory. Natural gas drilling has provided a backbone in the state’s economy for a number of years, and recently more high-tech companies have been finding a home in Oklahoma as well. Outside of the metropolitan areas you’ll find farming, as well as smaller communities with their own local industries and flavors. From the days of the land run in 1889, Oklahoma has been a land of opportunity and untapped potential.
