The new recommendations say parents consistently report experiencing higher levels of stress than other adults.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. surgeon general said parents are under enormous stress and their health is an urgent public health issue.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy issued a Parental Health and Well-Being Advisory to bring this issue to Americans' attention and provide recommendations on how to address it.
In his recommendations, Vivek said his conversations with parents and carers revealed “pervasive feelings of guilt and shame” and that carers often hide mental health issues, perpetuating a “vicious cycle of stress leading to guilt which leads to more stress.”
How stressed are American parents?
According to the recommendations, over the past decade, parents have been more likely than other adults to report experiencing consistently high levels of stress. In fact, in 2023, 33% of parents reported high levels of stress in the past month, compared with 20% of other adults.
About 41% of parents say their stress is so bad they can't function most days, and about 48% say their stress is completely unmanageable most days, compared with 26% of other adults.
Why are parents so stressed?
Parents and guardians often face stresses that are unique to their role in raising children and are often significant. These stresses include financial stress relative to the cost of child care (which the advisory reports has increased by approximately 26% over the past decade), time demands including work-life balance, children's health and safety, and parental feelings of isolation and loneliness.
One notable stressor that has increased over time is the impact of technology and social media on parenting. The advisory states that nearly 70% of parents say parenting is more difficult than it was 20 years ago, with children's use of technology and social media cited as the main reason. Parents report worrying that their children's social media use will lead to other problems, such as depression, anxiety, bullying, and low self-esteem.
The recommendation states that “parental mental health problems can have far-reaching and serious consequences for children, entire families and society, including increased health care costs and reduced economic productivity.”
U.S. Surgeon General's Recommendation
Murthy believes something needs to change to address the well-being of parents and caregivers, a “crucial and undervalued public health priority.” In her advisory, the Surgeon General wrote that important cultural changes are needed to make child care sustainable and enable parents and caregivers to thrive in their roles.
One of the four main recommendations outlined in the advisory document is to treat time spent raising children as just as important as time spent in paid work.
“Many parents and guardians feel undervalued for prioritizing child care over work, which may mean choosing to be a full-time parent or managing the many work trade-offs that come with being an employed parent,” the recommendation states. “We need to recognize the importance of child care and reflect that in how we prioritize resources, design policies, shape work environments, and approach conversations with parents.”
Another recommendation is to ensure that parents and guardians understand that even though they have the primary responsibility for parenting, they do not have to do it alone.
“Raising healthy, educated and fulfilled children is central to building strong futures. It benefits the entire society. And it is a collective responsibility,” the recommendation states. “Social supports, such as policies that invest in children's health, education and safety, and community engagement through friendships, practical assistance and emotional support, are essential to the well-being of parents and caregivers and are also beneficial for children.”
The third recommendation is to openly discuss the stresses and struggles of parenting to prevent a vicious cycle that creates further stress for parents and caregivers.
“Open dialogue about these challenges can combat shame and guilt, foster mutual support, and ultimately help generate the momentum needed to change practices and collective expectations to be more aligned with health and well-being,” the recommendations state.
Finally, the fourth recommendation is to foster a culture of connection among parents to combat loneliness and isolation.
“Creating opportunities for parents and caregivers to come together, share experiences and ideas, and support each other can enhance parental well-being,” the advisory states. “Simply put, caregivers need care, too.”
To learn more, see the Surgeon General's full advisory, “Parents Under Pressure.”
