HOUSTON — The nation’s top doctor has issued a warning that parents are currently under a dangerous amount of stress.
The recommendations cite a report from the American Psychological Association that finds nearly half of all parents are under overwhelming stress. When looking at childless adults, that number drops to 26 percent.
The Wall Street Journal reports that parents are lonely too, with research showing that 65% of parents report being lonely and 55% of childless adults report the same. .
Parenting has always been a difficult but rewarding job, what has changed?
Experts say parents are facing new and bigger challenges, from social media to the proliferation of screens. And they face this problem with an ever-shrinking support system.
Few parents live near extended families or in multigenerational homes, meaning they are left on their own when it comes to raising children.
What can I do to solve the problem?
The Surgeon General is calling on the government, employers and doctors to do more to support parents. That could mean everything from the nation’s paid family leave program to asking pediatricians to look for signs of stress in parents when they bring their kids in.
