The published advisory of US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and a 9-11-24 news release online in The Hill have raised the alarm that parental stress is now an urgent public health issue. Parental stress levels are currently so high that 48% of the 63 million parents of children under age 18 feel that their stress level in raising children is now “overwhelming.”

The legal professionals at the LLF Law Firm Family Law Team are aware of the overwhelming stress that Pennsylvania parents feel and are on call to help families deal with them. One of the greatest mental health risks for parents and children is increased domestic violence and marital conflict. If you or your family is facing domestic violence or child custody issues, call us at 888.535.3686 or use our contact form.

The skyrocketing stress that parents feel today is an urgent public health issue that affects the mental health of both parents and children. Some of the risk factors for stress that parents face in raising children these days are listed below.

The Financial Stress of Child Care Costs

While the financial stress of raising children is not new to parenting, some of the rising costs associated with their care have elevated the stress levels of today's parents. One of the greatest of these stressors is childcare costs. Families have found that it became necessary to have both parents employed as income earners in order to support their children. Childcare costs have increased by 214% since 1990, outpacing parental incomes, which increased by only 143% during the same time period. In 2023, average childcare costs were more than $11,500. This means that monthly childcare costs are often greater than a family's rent or mortgage payment.

Increased School Violence Using Firearms

All parents are concerned about the physical safety of their children, but their concern has risen to new heights by having to face the horrors of increased school violence with firearms often perpetrated by school children themselves. Firearm-related injuries have become the leading cause of death for children ages 1-19 years old. 74% of parents stated that even the possibility of school shootings was a significant source of mental stress for them.

Issues With Technology and Social Media

About 70% of parents find parenting more difficult now, and their top two concerns are issues with technology and social media. More than 50 % of parents of teenagers are worried that social media use by their children will lead to low self-esteem, bullying, exposure to explicit content, and increased levels of anxiety or depression. This concern often stems from the fact that social media can create unrealistic cultural expectations for children. Also, children are increasingly attached to their phones and computers, and parents are frustrated at how best to monitor their screen time.

The problem of parental stress is a societal problem and not just a nuclear family problem. As the Surgeon General's Advisory mentions, society must rethink the cultural norms around parenting and provide additional support structures for parents so they do not feel so isolated and alone. The LLF Law Firm Family Law Team is dedicated to helping Pennsylvania families cope with the stresses of domestic violence, divorce, child custody, and child support. Remember that you are not alone. Get the help and support you need from our dedicated family law team. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or use our contact form.