Nearly half of parents say they are “completely overwhelmed” by the stress of raising kids most days, with four in 10 reporting the stress keeps them from functioning.
These are just a couple of statistics that paint the bleak picture of parenting today as delineated in “Parents Under Pressure,” a recent advisory from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy.
Many Concerns for Modern Parents
The pressure parents report feeling has risen steadily over the past decade, with a spike during COVID-era lockdowns. Even though that period has passed, the general state of overwhelm shows no sign of receding on its own. Parental stress now qualifies as a public health issue, according to the advisory.
Almost three quarters of parents say parenting is more difficult now than 20 years ago. Constant scrutiny from other parents, especially via social media, contributes to parents’ mental health struggles. Other top stressors include economic instability, job pressures, long to-do lists and too little time, difficulty managing their kids’ exposure to technology and social isolation.
Personal Mental Health Among Parents’ Worries
While parents are juggling the stressors of the role, many are also concerned about how best to manage their own mental health challenges.
Almost a quarter of parents had a documented mental illness, and a quarter of those were classified as “serious.” Parents of children with special health care needs were especially likely to report “fair or poor mental health.” Nearly one in five children under 17 has such needs.
A Multifaceted Solution
But the outlook doesn’t have to be as forbidding.
“We can do better,” according to Murthy, who recalled his own “moments of feeling lost and exhausted.” Calling attention to the stress and mental health concerns facing parents and caregivers allows for the opportunity to “lay out what we can do to address them.”
Individual efforts to reduce parental stress and prioritize mental health can offer some relief, including building relationships with parenting peers, getting enough sleep, making time for self-care and exercising regularly. But broader policy changes have the potential to positively impact more parents. Increased paid parental leave and endorsing flexible work schedules, along with reduced taxes for families with children and more affordable childcare alternatives are all mentioned in the report.
The report also includes a section that outlines opportunities for governments, employers, communities and schools, as well as other sectors to contribute to solutions. It’s likely to take contributions from all groups to reduce the stress of parenting in America. Allowing it to remain unchecked is harmful not just to parents, but also to their kids and society.