An article in The Hill highlighted the increased parental stress families feel in coping with the modern issues of raising children. It referenced the U.S. Surgeon General's advisory, which stated that parental stress levels are so high that 48% of the 63 million parents of children under 18 feel that their stress level in raising children is now “overwhelming.”

The skilled professionals at the Lento Law Firm Family Law Team are well aware of the stressors facing families in New Jersey. One of the biggest mental health risks for both parents and children is increased domestic violence and marital conflict. If you or your family is facing domestic violence or dealing with child support issues, contact the Lento Law Firm Family Law Team today at 888-535-3686 or through our online form.

The skyrocketing stress that parents feel has created what Surgeon General Vivek Murthy calls an urgent public health issue, affecting the mental health of both parents and children. Below are a few of the risk factors for stress that parents face in raising children these days.

• Financial Stress: High Cost of Child Care

Financial stress in raising children is not a new issue for parents. What has increased stress levels, however, is the realization that in order to survive as a family, both parents must work, often outside the home. The biggest single cost for raising young children then becomes increasing childcare costs. Childcare costs have increased by 214% since 1990, outpacing parental incomes, which increased by only 143% in the same time period. Average childcare costs were reported as more than $11,500 in 2023.

• Fear for a Child's Safety: School Shootings

Parents have traditionally worried about the safety and well-being of their children. Modern families have had 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% percent of parents stated that the possibility of school shootings was a significant source of stress.

• Protecting Children: Misuse of Technology and Social Media

Almost 70% of parents find parenting more difficult now, and the top two reasons are connected with a child's use of technology and social media. More than 50% of parents of teenagers are especially worried that increased social media use can lead to issues of low self-esteem, harassment, exposure to explicit content, and anxiety or depression. Social media often creates unrealistic cultural expectations for children. Technology is changing rapidly, and children are increasingly dependent on cell phones and computers. Parents often feel they can't keep up and are frustrated at how best to monitor their child's screen time.

As the Surgeon General points out in his advisory, It is vital to recognize that we must begin to rethink the cultural norms around parenting. Our society must help to create additional programs and support structures so individual families do not feel isolated.

The Lento Law Firm Family Law Firm is dedicated to being a support for families in New Jersey that are facing such issues as domestic violence, divorce, child custody, and support. You are not alone. Get the help and support you need from us. Contact us today at 888-535-3686 or through our online form.