Parenting in the U.S. has become a “Critical Health Priority”

On August 28, 2024, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy issued a public health advisory on the struggles of modern parenting—a move that signals the need for systemic reform. Advisories are documents that require immediate action due to the issue’s urgency. In this case, the stakes are the well-being of the 63 million parents, many of whom face overwhelming stress due to socioeconomic and political factors. “I am hopeful this…will help catalyze and support the changes we need to ensure all parents and caregivers can thrive,” Dr. Murthy states. His remarks show that parental well-being is more than just a familial concern, but a societal responsibility to ensure that our future generations grow up in healthy households.

In his 35-page report, Dr. Murthy draws on four pages of references to eloquently express the psychological pressures parents experience raising kids in the modern age. With 41% of parents in the United States reporting that they are so stressed they can barely function, increased support is critical for these personal and political challenges. Stressors range from isolation, financial pressures, time demands, child safety concerns, and technology management. These challenges are amplified by the absence of social support that many other countries enjoy. Families in Portugal, Hungary, and Spain, for example, all report higher levels of happiness than non-parents thanks to better child-care benefits.

While “nearly 70% of parents say parenting is harder…because of technology,” this is just one facet of the problem. Despite Dr. Vivek H. Murthy issuing a similar advisory regarding social media warnings in May, no significant policy shifts have followed. The lack of action raises a critical question: why are the concerns presented in these public reports not being followed with concrete legislation by policymakers?

The surgeon general states, “With this advisory, I am calling for a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize the mental health and well-being of parents. I am also outlining policies, programs, and individual actions we can all take to support parents and caregivers.” Dr. Murthy suggests a series of initiatives that governments, schools, caregivers, and organizations can implement: a national paid family leave program, investments in social infrastructure, and reintegration programs for incarcerated families. These “actionable recommendations” are all necessary steps that need to be taken, but the power lies in the hands of the policymakers. 

While there is much to improve upon, as pointed out in this advisory, the existing laws provide hope that legislators will continue to recognize the importance of parents’ well-being. 27% of civilian workers in the U.S. get paid family leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). FLMA requires covered employers to provide employees with job-protected leave, with some states enacting their own paid leave programs. But, we stand as “the only industrialized country that does not have a national paid maternity leave policy,” an egregious shortcoming. Per the report, “While parents and caregivers may have the primary responsibility for raising children, they shouldn’t have to do it entirely on their own. Raising healthy, educated and fulfilled children is at the heart of building a strong future. And it’s a collective responsibility.” 

As we lag behind many other nations regarding parental support, policymakers need to see and hear this address to reform our political structures and catch up. The Surgeon General’s advisory is a significant first step to calling out our leaders for not providing enough parental support in social structures. It is now up to lawmakers to make this progress. 

Unfortunately, as of now, it seems that significant systemic change will only be realized in the distant future. However, acknowledging this, Dr. Murthy offers practical advice on what we can do today. Citizens can offer support, connect with parents on an ongoing basis, and become aware of the mental health challenges caregivers face. Dr. Murthy reminds families, “Caring for yourself is a key part of caring for your family.” In a country that prides itself on familial values, it is time that our leaders reflect that in their policies.

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This article was edited by Juliana Duarte.