The Most Useless Piece of Parenting Advice

The Atlantic
The Atlantic
1m ago 1 view
Many mothers find it difficult to create a supportive 'village' for childcare due to geographical and social changes, impacting their well-being and parenting. This matters as it highlights the need for systemic support for families in modern society.
The Most Useless Piece of Parenting Advice
A What happened
The concept of 'it takes a village' for parenting is increasingly difficult for many mothers to realize due to changing social dynamics and geographical distances. With nearly 70% of children under six having both parents working, the availability of nearby support has diminished. Highly educated mothers often live far from family, making it challenging to rely on traditional forms of help, such as grandparents. Many mothers report feeling isolated and resorting to paid services for childcare, which lacks the reciprocal nature of community support. The article highlights that while some mothers manage to create a network through school connections or apps designed for finding friends, the overall trend shows a decline in communal support. This situation underscores the need for systemic changes to support families, such as improved parental leave and flexible work policies.

Key insights

  • 1

    Changing family dynamics

    More parents are working, reducing available local support.

  • 2

    Geographical isolation

    Highly educated mothers often live far from family.

  • 3

    Paid help vs. community support

    Many mothers resort to paid services due to lack of village.

Takeaways

The traditional support network for mothers is eroding, necessitating systemic changes to better support families in modern society. Without these changes, many parents will continue to struggle with isolation and the pressures of childcare.

Topics

Parenting Mental Health Society