Outsourcing Information Technology: Cutting Costs Or Cutting Your Throat? I heard recently that it will cost the average U.S. family somewhere in the neighborhood of $700,000 to raise a child from birth to adulthood. Assuming thats true, I wonder what some parents would say if someone were to offer to do the entire job of child-rearing for significantly less–say, $400,000?

Lets say a company approaches a parent and pitches its core of child-rearing experts, certified teachers and counselors, short-order cooks, impromptu chauffeurs, and just about any other specialty needed to rear the average American youngster.

“Thats right, Mrs. Smith,” the slick sales rep would intone, “we here at Take-in Village can give little Billy here just the kind of upbringing you yourself would give him. But theres one big differencewe do it for much less than it would cost you! Of course, we invite you to visit our facilities anytime to ensure that Billy is receiving all that we promise.”