By Amber Roman
28 Aug 2024, 17:43 PM EDT
The burnout and strain faced by parents in the United States has reached the point of being considered a public health issue. This situation was highlighted in a recent advisory issued by Dr. Vivek Murthy, the US Surgeon General, who stressed the urgent need to reform both workplace policies and cultural norms to support parents in their vital role in society.
Murthy, who is also a father of two, stressed that parenting is not only crucial to the well-being of children, but also to the overall health of society. In his advisory, Murthy noted that there is a direct connection between the well-being of parents and that of their children, highlighting the need to provide more support to those in charge of parenting. The advisory underscores that while parents today spend more hours at work than in 1985, they also spend more time caring for their children, which has created an overload that negatively affects their rest time, their romantic relationships and their free time.
This overload is especially acute for those parents who, in addition to caring for their children, also take care of their own elderly parents or other family members who require care. The combination of work and family responsibilities has created an environment in which quality time for parents is a scarce resource, thus increasing stress and fatigue among them.
Furthermore, the prevailing “comparison culture,” especially online, exacerbates this situation. The pressure to meet certain milestones and standards in parenting and child achievement has left many families feeling perpetually behind, exhausted and unable to meet the expectations imposed on them. Murthy warned that this culture contributes significantly to the emotional burnout of parents.
A 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association, cited in the notice, found that 33% of parents reported experiencing high levels of stress in the past month, compared with 20% of childless adults. This data underscores the need for a cultural shift that values time spent parenting in the same way time spent in paid employment is valued. Murthy argues that it is essential to recognize the critical importance of parenting to society as a whole, and that parents and caregivers must be given the necessary support to navigate the challenges that come with it.
Dr. Murthy’s advisory also calls for fostering greater connection between parents to combat the loneliness and isolation that many experience. Although the stress and mental health issues faced by parents are often not visible, their impact can be significant, both for individuals and for society at large. Murthy stresses that these issues constitute a serious public health concern and that tangible support is needed for those feeling on the brink of collapse.
In his notice, Murthy proposes several measures to address this crisis. These include the implementation of a national paid family and medical leave program, as well as paid sick leave for all workers. In addition, he suggests increased financial support for child care, universal preschool, and programs like Head Start. Employers also have a crucial role to play, by expanding programs that support parental well-being, offering paid leave, flexible work schedules, and training for managers in stress management.
Finally, Murthy urges that communities, schools and health professionals also contribute through additional screening and targeted support for parents who are most at risk. She underlines the need for further research and development of standardised measures to assess parents’ mental health and wellbeing, stressing that the challenges they face must be recognised and addressed as a national priority.
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