Pressures on many parents of young children have been increasing over the last 20 years and have intensified during the pandemic. Some of these pressures are financial and will be increased further by the cost of living crisis, putting young children’s well-being and development at risk.
A report published today by the Nuffield Foundation reviews the evidence on the changing nature of parenting children under five. It finds that parents are increasingly under pressure as a result of expectations, a lack of time, the balance of paid employment and providing care for young children, poverty, and inadequate housing. All of these factors can affect the care parents provide and children’s development and well-being.
The report also finds that some parenting programmes can improve parenting skills and outcomes for children, but such programmes are less likely to succeed if not combined with action to reduce pressure on families, such as improving household incomes.
