US surgeon general urges national shift to support stressed parents

Lauren Taylor

PARENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE FEELING THE PRESSURE AND IT’S TAKING A TOLL NOT JUST ON THEM, BUT ON THEIR CHILDREN AS WELL. 

THE U.S. SURGEON GENERAL RELEASING AN ADVISORY WEDNESDAY HIGHLIGHTING THE CRITICAL NEED TO ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF PARENTS.

VIVEK MURTHY IS CALLING IT ‘PARENTS UNDER PRESSURE,’.

HE’S ADVOCATING FOR A SIGNIFICANT SHIFT IN HOW OUR SOCIETY VIEWS PARENTING AND CAREGIVING. EMPHASIZING THAT THE WELL-BEING OF PARENTS IS DIRECTLY TIED TO THE WELL-BEING OF THEIR CHILDREN. THERE ARE OVER 63 MILLION PARENTS IN THE U.S. CARING FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18.

MURTHY POINTS OUT THAT MODERN SOCIETY OFTEN UNDERVALUES THE ROLE OF PARENTING. IN HIS ADVISORY HE STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING ALL TYPES OF FAMILIES, INCLUDING LGBTQPARENTS, FOSTER PARENTS, AND SINGLE PARENTS. HE ALSO OUTLINED CONCRETE POLICY SHIFTS THAT COULD EASE THE BURDEN ON PARENTS SUCH AS CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE, PAID FAMILY LEAVE AND POVERTY REDUCTION PROGRAMS.

MURTHY’S OFFICE SAYS IT’S TIME FOR A CULTURAL AND POLICY SHIFT TO FOSTER A SOCIETY THAT VALUES AND SUPPORTS THOSE WHO ARE RAISING THE NEXT GENERATION.

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