Top U.S. Surgeon Alerts: Parenting Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

On Wednesday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released an advisory titled “Parents Under Pressure,” shedding light on the significant mental health challenges faced by parents nationwide. This public health alert outlines the various stressors impacting parental mental health and advocates for immediate societal and policy changes to better support parents and caregivers.

The advisory reveals that, over the past decade, parents have consistently reported higher stress levels compared to other adults. In 2023, 33% of parents reported experiencing high stress in the past month, compared to 20% of non-parents. Alarmingly, 41% of parents said they are so stressed on most days that it hampers their ability to function, and 48% described their stress as overwhelmingly intense most days. These figures are notably higher than the 20% and 26% reported by other adults, respectively.

Murthy’s report identifies several key stressors contributing to these challenges, including financial strain, economic instability, demanding schedules, concerns about children’s health and safety, parental isolation, loneliness, and the complexities of managing technology and social media. Financial worries are particularly pronounced, with 66% of parents feeling overwhelmed by financial concerns, compared to 39% of other adults in 2023. Additionally, around 25% of parents reported instances in the past year where they struggled to afford basic necessities such as food or housing.

The report also highlights increased work demands on parents. On average, parents now work 33.5 hours per week, a 28% rise for mothers and a 4% increase for fathers since 1985. This, combined with more time spent on childcare, has led to heightened work-family conflict, burnout, and stress.