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Cost of living crisis will put further pressure on parents with young children, warns report

Families Policy & Politics
New analysis highlights the increasing pressures on parents of under-fives over the last 20 years, and warns that financial pressures will be heightened by the cost of living crisis.
The analysis from the Nuffield Foundation warns of the impact the cost of living crisis will have on parents and their young children PHOTO Adobe Stock
The analysis from the Nuffield Foundation warns of the impact the cost of living crisis will have on parents and their young children PHOTO Adobe Stock

Published by the Nuffield Foundation, the analysis of over 100 studies, 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. It warns that these pressures on parents are putting young children's wellbeing and development at risk. 

The analysis highlights how the pandemic negatively affected parental mental health and increased inter-parental conflict at a time when parents had less access to support. Also, how poverty and poor housing can lead to parental stress, depression and conflict, which could impede effective parenting, and, in turn, affect child outcomes.

Looking at parenting programmes, the analysis finds that some can improve parenting skills and outcomes for children. However, they are less likely to succeed if not combined with action to reduce pressure on families, such as improving household incomes

It also states that parenting policy has been ‘patchy’, but the Government’s recent initiatives to create Family Hubs and the Best Start for Life are an ‘important step forward’.

To close the disadvantage gap and improve children’s outcomes, the analysis says policies are needed to reduce pressures on families and improve parenting skills, using universal and targeted support.

Carey Oppenheim, early childhood lead at the Nuffield Foundation and co-author of the report, said, ‘Parenting matters. Government initiatives to create a network of family hubs, Best Start for Life and investment in parenting programmes are important steps in the right direction. However, parenting programmes form only one component of the support parents need. The Covid-19 crisis and the cost-of-living crisis have made it even more crucial that families with young children are also given more fundamental support, in terms of improved access to mental health services, boosted family incomes and improvements to the physical environments in which children are raised.’

  • The analysis is available here